Clean and Simple (CAS) 107 - Make Your Own Background

The Clean and Simple #107 this week was a very intersting one ... make your own background.  I thought lots about my options and decided to go with a ink direct to paper technique. 

Using my Color Q inks (Hero Arts) I swiped 2 colors of blue, green, and yellow inks across a piece of white cardstock.  Then I stamped over them (Rustic Branches, Birds of a Feather, Out on a Limb sets, all from Papertrey Ink) in Chocolate Chip ink (SU!).

I kept the card very Clean and Simple to keep the focus on the background.  Just a few brads and dimensional foam tape. 
                                                     
Thanks to all of those who leave comments.  I appreciate it so much!

Donelda

More Kissing Birdies

Yesterday I posted the card I made for the Clean and Simple challenge #100 over on SCS.  When I was trying out the 'kissing technique' I had actually made 5 birds.  The one you saw yesterday and then these 4 more.  Since my New Year's resolution is to use up stuff I decided to take the 4 additional birds and actually make cards with them (instead of dumping them into my 'stuff' bucket to sit for years waiting to be used).  My favorite is the Aqua Mist bird on the woodgrain panel.  All of the bits and pieces are scraps that have been sitting in my 'stuff' buckets!  That lined green frame is actually a digital element and the pink banner is from my former Secret Sister.   A pretty good start on my resolutions!

They are all pretty Clean and Simple and could have worked for the challenge.  Which one do you like best???

Thanks for dropping in.  Have a great day!  Today is my last day before heading back to work so I am planning on spending a lot of it in my craft room!  (Edited to read - guess my son has different plans, turns out we are going swimming, shopping, and then sledding!!!  Yikes, I'm going to be exhausted by tonight!)

Donelda

Clean and Simple *CAS) Challenge #100 - Kissing

I haven't played along with a Splitcoaststampers challenge in a long time.  I checked out the Clean and Simple (CAS) challenge last night (when I couldn't sleep) and saw that it was the 100th challenge. Cool!!  How could I resist??!!

The challenge was to make a CAS card using the 'kissing' technique.   It is a fun and easy technique so I visualized all night what my card could be and created this card this morning.

I started out making the bird.  The solid bird is from Bird Watching (Papertrey Ink).  I inked it up heavily using Plum Pudding ink (Papertrey Ink).  Then, I stamped onto the inked up bird using an image from Giga Guide Lines (that had no ink on it).  That removes the Plum Pudding ink from the bird in a beautiful design.  Voila, the Kissing technique.  Then I cut out the bird.

Next, I sponged an oval onto a white card base.  The ink is Spring Rain (Papertrey Ink).   Then, with the oval mask still on, I stamped a fancy swirl from Fancy Flourishes (Papertrey Ink) using more Spring Rain ink.   Then I removed the mask and added the sentiment from Around & About Sentiments in Plum Pudding ink. 

See those little half pears, they started out white ... but I added some Copic markers to them to match the color of Plum Pudding .. a bit of purple and pink on top made the perfect match.  And see how the pearls, sentiment, and bird make a visual triangle of the same color!!

So, I'm off to post this card at SCS and check out what everyone else did with the Kissing technique!  Have a great day!

Donelda

Delicious Apples - CAS 82

I had this idea running around and around in my head all night long for the Clean and Simple challenge #82 over at SCS.  I had to get up this morning and make it before heading out to work.  Now I'm going to be late but that is okay ... I'm kinda waiting for the FROST to melt off my car windshield before I have to go scrap it!!  Sheesh, frost on the 31st of August!!!!

I dropped the cranberry alcohol ink onto glossy paper and then moved it around with a can of air!  (so much fun!).  Then I stamped the open apple strategically on top.  Originally I had planned to use only 1 apple but I liked all of them so picked the best 3 and added them to the card.  Then I colored the leaf and stems with Copics.  Finally, I have been meaning to do some scoring (I've had my Score Pal since Christmas and haven't "thought" to do it yet!!! sheesh!!) so I added scoring lines above and below the apples and again at the bottom of the card.  A simple thinking of you sentiment finishes the card!  Good, clean, and simple!!

Supplies: Stamps-TEahcer's Apple, Beyond Basic Borders (Papertrey Ink); Paper - Kraft (SU!), glossy paper; Ink - Jet Black (Ranger); Other - Alcohol ink, Cranberry (Ranger), Score Pal, Copic markers (YG03 and E44).

Hope you have a "Delicious" day!!

Donelda

Clean and Simple (CAS) Challenge - 78 Fishy Dots

The Clean and Simple (CAS) challenge over on Splitcoaststampers (#78) is to use Polka Dots on your card. 

This is one of my favorite ways to use polka dots - especially the close ones (like those found in Polka Dot Basics II from Papertrey Ink).

This little fish is created by dry painting blue and purple paint onto watercolor paper.  Then I stamped the fish over top in black ink once it is all dry.  (I had done this many years ago and finally pulled him out of my box of images to use!!). 

A rounded corner and a little doodling and the card is finished!!

Supplies: Fishy Friends (SU!), Polka Dot Basics II, Pond Life Sentiments (Papertrey Ink); Ink - Tempting Turquoise (SU!), Jet Black (Ranger); Paper - Very Vanilla (SU!); Other - Post It Note (3M), Coluzzle, black marker (Prismacolor), dimensionals. 

Thanks for dropping in today!!
Donelda

Clean and Simple (CAS) Challenge - 76 - sketch

(note- this is actually my third post for the day ~having lots of fun crafting today, finally ~ if you'd like to see my submission for Lucy's button challenge or Susan's R.'s latest One Layer Wednesday card scroll down)

So I haven't played along with the Clean and Simple Challenges on Splitcoaststampers for a while.  I saw the adorable card by ravengirl that was being used as a layout for challenge #76 and decided to play along. 

I realized that the layout would be an excellent opportunity to use one of my doilies (inspired by Christine Middlecamp and her doily project seen HERE) that I had made previously.  I kept pretty close to the basic layout simply changing the shape of the desinger paper layer, the colors, and using the doily instead of a flower.  As ravengirl did, I distressed around my designer paper which served to pull it together with my doily creation. 

Supplies: Stamps- Wishing You, Polka Dot Basics II (Papertrey Ink), Watch Trio (smARTworks); Paper - Whisper White (Stampin' Up!), Winsom from the Ambrosia collection (Papertrey Ink), aqua paper (unknown); Ink - Jet Black (Ranger), Broken China and Peeled Paint (Ranger); Other - transparency, button (Hero Arts), white doily (Martha Stewart), white crochet thread, clear embossing powder (used to make the polkadot background as it was emboss resisted with the 2 ranger inks), dimensionals, sponge. 

Well, that was fun for a change!!  I sure have been prolific today ... 3 posts!!  and I have a  bunch more ready to go for the rest of the week.  I think I am back in the swing of this stamping :-)  That makes me smile!!

Have a great evening!!
Donelda

CAS Orange Birthday

So the latest Clean and Simple Challenge #64 over on SCS is a special one!! It is Jen's (Miss Boo) birthday and her favorite color is orange so she asked us to make orange birthday cards, of course!!

As well this week, Katrina Werner did a "five things on my desk" challenge where she took 5 things laying around on her desk and made a card with them. I decided to do that as well. My 5 things - the orange cardstock was from a BasicGrey paper pack that was laying on my desk after making my MIL's mother's day card (you'll see that soon), the vanilla cardstock, the black organdy ribbon, the Demask Design stamp set was also out from making my mother's Mother's Day card (I forgot to photograph it so you won't see it), and my Fiskers Threading Water punch was sitting there on my side table just begging to be used!!

Happy Birthday Jen!!!

Thanks for dropping in!!

Donelda

Clean and Simple (CAS) Challenge - 63 - Sketch - 3 Butterflies

Jen's latest Clean and Simple challenge #63 was a great sketch. Is it not a great one ... you could make hundreds of great cards based on this sketch!!

So you might see those colored in butterflies and think - "that's not very simple" but trust me, it is! You see I did the Jennifer McGuire quick coloring technique of using Copics ... nothing is more simple!!

Colored them in, cut them out, pasted them on and drew their antenna. Then I added the pinking sheer cut black cardstock strip. Finally, I added a strip of red 2-sided tape and dumped a pile of purple glitter on it! a small sentiment and a touch of Dazzling Diamonds on the butterfly wings and a finished card! And about time too!!

Supplied: Stamps - butterfly (Rubber Stampede), Around and About (Papertrey Ink); Paper - Kraft, White, Black (SU!); Ink - Brilliance Jet Black; Other - black marker, pinking sheers (Provo Craft), Dazzling Diamonds (SU!), purple glitter (Ritz), markers (Copic).

Thanks for dropping in!

Donelda

Clean and Simple (CAS) Challenge 59 - Central Park in the Snow

This past Monday (actually Sunday night) the most recent Clean and Simple challenge #59 was posted. It was to use the inspiration of New York as your guide. I've never been to New York so I've never seen the beauty of Central Park in real life. However, a friend of mine has gone many times and shares her photos with me regularly!!

I chose this photo of Central park in winter from one of the sites Jen left as links. As soon as I saw the photo I knew I could use the new to me Papertrey Ink set called Through the Trees.

I inked them up with Chocolate Chip ink (SU!) and stamped them multiple times. I then took some markers and tapped on some colors like leaves. I did some tearing of strips of white cardstock and adhered them along the bottom of the trees. A simple sentiment was stamped across the bottom (from Made of Snow, Papertrey Ink) also in Chocolate Chip ink. I matted this on some dark brown textured cardstock (Bazzill) and popped this up onto a Kraft card base (SU!). (the mat looks crooked but that is just shadow from my light box. I recognize that my photos are not well lit ... I clearly need better or more lamps!!!)

While you can't really see it in the photo, I also added a bit of white gel pen to the trunks of the tree to suggest snow had landed on some of the branches, just like the photo!

Thanks for dropping in! Enjoy your evening!!

Donelda

Clean and Simple (CAS) Challenge - 52 Sketch

I created this card a while ago for the Clean and Simple challenge #52 on Splitcoaststampers. That challenge was posted over 2 weeks ago...but you know me, forever doing challenges but never getting around to posting them!! LOL!!!

I created this based on the sketch that was provided. I wanted the colors to remain mostly pink with a hint of black. I started out with that flower image by smARTworks. I inked it up with Hibuscus Burst ink and then added some Raspberry Fizz around the edges (rock n' roll technique). I liked it so much I deceded to create the strip (a la the sketch) of designer paper using the same technique, I just stamped the image close to each otehr then cut it out. Finally, I added the black gingham ribbon. There was just not enough black so I colored 3 half pearls with my black copic marker and added them to the centers of the flowers! Now I wish I'd stamped the sentiment in black as well....oh well!

Supplies: Stamps - Swirly-gigs (smARTworks), Around and About (Papertrey Ink); Ink - Hibuscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz (Papertrey Ink); Paper - white; Other- black gingham ribbon (Stampin' Up!), 1 1/2" circle punch, half pearls (K&Co.), black marker (Copic).

It is almost the weekned....can you say Yeeeee haaaa!! Have a great day!

Donelda

Clean and Simple (CAS) Challenge 53 - Candyland

Even though I didn't get last week's Clean and Simple Challenge done (well, I have now it is just not posted yet), I decided to do this week's challenge - Candyland #53. That decision was made when I started browsing through the Candy Blog that Jen had posted to use as inspiration. You see, I found this photo. I totally remember chewing Black Jack gum...and I loved it!!!

Because of the shape of the gum packages, I decided to create some scaplings. If you haven't seen them before they are acutaully a way to use the part you would cut off an A2 size card to make it a square card. These ones are cut down a bit more. I cut the main color, hand drew the oval and cut it out with my hobby blade. Then I used white embossing powder to really get a strong white for the lines and the sentiments. I hand drew the white oval with my white gel pen.

I have started dropping these cute little scraplings off on my co-worker's desks. They really seem to enjoy them!!

Supplies: Stamps - Paper Tray, Faux Ribbon (Papertrey Ink); ink - Versamark; Paper - all scraps; Other - hobby knife, white embossing powder, white gel pen.

Thanks for dropping in today. I hope you have a stampin' good day!!

Donelda

CAS 51 - Designer Paper Tree 2

For the Clean and Simple #51 challenge over on SCS the challenge was to use designer paper on our CAS cards. Well, that just happens to be one of my New Year's Resolutions!! I have challenged myself to use what I have....and trust me, I have a ton of designer papers!!

Some of my favorite papers are from the BasicGrey lines! I particularly love this multi-lined sheet from the Stella Ruby collection called Drive in the Country.

I adhered a 1" strip alone the edge of a white card base and rounded the corners. I had originally intended the card to be horizontal but I wasn't feelin' it and in the end, it turned out to be a vertical card.

I stamped this truely delicious tree that I just received in my latest order from Papertrey Ink. It comes from their brand new set called Through the Trees. After that, I was stumped as to where to put the sentiment. I considered placing one along the bottom between the tree and the designer paper but that didn't look right. Then I tried it up along the top right of the card...but again, yuck! Then I turned it sideways to run along the paper and I had an idea. I put away the sentiment I was using and pulled out my Around and About Sentiments (Papertrey Ink). It has the best long and skinny repeated sentiments so I stamped it along the edge of the designer paper. I really liked how this ended up. Glad I played around with placement before putting it in my original spot!!

Supplies: Stamps - Through the Trees, Around and About Sentiments (both Papertrey Ink); Ink - Old Olive, Bravo Burgandy (Stampin' Up!); Paper - White (Stampin' Up!), Drive through the Country (Stella Ruby collection, BasicGrey); Other - corner chomper (We R Memory Keepers).

Now I think I'll browse around on the CAS site to see what all the other crafty ladies did with designer paper. Then, maybe I'll make another card with some other designer paper....the lord only knows how many cards I could make with it all!! LOL!!

Thanks for dropping in today!! Hope you have a great day!

Donelda

CAS 50 - Teal Thinking of You

This is the card I made for the 50th Clean and Simple challenge over on Splitcoaststampers. The challenge was to use the color teal, white and one other color.

I've got to admit that I'm not sure I've ever used this color! I pulled it out of my Stampin' Up cardstock pile and got to work.

One of my goals was to use one of the border stamps from thsi Floral/Swirl Borders stamp set from Stampology (Autumn Leaves). I decided to make the card base with the teal but I sliced off 3/4" from the bottom. Then I added a sheet of white cardstock with the scalloped border punched along the bottom edge. I then stamped this flower border stamp along the teal edge and the sentiment (from Simple Little Things set - Papertrey Ink) using Versamark ink and then embossed with white powder. Finally, the addition of one other color is the gold metallic gel pen (Scribblers) that I added to the centers of the flowers.

A quick, clean and simple card!! Now I'm going to visit the CAS50 gallery to see what everyone else created with this interesting color!

Thanks for dropping in!

Donelda

CAS 49 - Cut it Out - Finest Flourishes

The Clean and Simple challenge #49 tonight was to Cut it Out! Well, I've had this flourish made from moulding paste sitting in my scrap bin for a very long time and decided I would "cut it out" and use it on a small 3x3 guft card.

The molding paste was colored with acrylic paint and then smeared into the Finest Flourishes stencil template sold by Stampin' Up! (although I suspect it is retired by now). The texture is awesome as you can see in this close up photo.

I adhered it with dimensionals and added the sentiment with Close to Cocoa ink (SU!). The sentiment is from the Rustic Branches set (Papertrey Ink).

A quick little Clean and Simple card. Off to see what the DT created and any other inspirational ideas on the CAS49 thread.

Donelda

CAS46 - Sketch and New Year's Resolutions

It has been weeks since I have been able to play in my craft room. Today it is cold outside and I had nothing planned so I finally got a chance to just sit in my craft room and play.

I decided to work on the Clean and Simple challenge #46. I realize I'm a bit late but I really liked the layout so wanted to give it a try.

I pulled out some of my new toys to play with including this awesome stamp set from Hero Arts.

I wanted to keep playing so I took this same general layout and adapted it to an A2 card size using the same stamps. Obviously, I changed the placement of the sentiment and I added some strips of cardstock along the bottom. It is an ultra clean and simple card. I am still considering if I want to add brads or something along the lower left corner - maybe under the darker green strip. What do you think???

Supplies: Stamps - Asian Frames (Hero Arts), sentiment - Beyond Basic Borders (Papertrey Ink), background on card 1 - Background Basics:Retro (Papertrey Ink); Paper - Whisper White, Old Olive, Kraft (Stampin' Up!); green scraps (Bazzill); Ink - Chocolate Chip, Old Olive (Stampin' Up!); Other - Coluzzle, paint brush (to paint the green leaves on card 1, dimensionals, sponge, Corner Rounder (We R Memory Corner Chomper).

So it is New Years Eve. I have decided on my crafting New Year's resolution. First I am planning to "use what I have". That's right, no more hoarding!! I will be using all of the stuff that I have been busy collecting over the last few years! Also, I am hoping to "participate in more challenges". You see, I tend to do the same thing over and over again but when I participate in challenges, it makes me streatch my creativity!! So, there you go...those are the 2 resolutions I hope to be sticking to for 2010!!

I also just want to say thank you to all of those who have stuck with me over the year! I truly appreciate any comments that are left!! And even if you don't leave comments...I still know you are there because my counter keeps going up and up and up! So, I appreciate you too ... and I hope you enjoy what you see!!

Well, we are away for the next few days. I have posts ready to go while I'm away so you still have something fun the look at!! See you all in 2010!!

Donelda

Clean and Simple (CAS) Challenge 45 - Curved Gold Branches

I had some fun yesterday creating in my craft room for the first time in about 2 weeks!! It felt sooo good to create again!!

This card is for the SCS Clean and Simple challenge #45 - I've Got Curves.

Cut the light purple cardstock after drawing a free-hand curve. Adhered it to the dark purple card (this card is 3 1/2" x 6 1/2"). Placed the flower branches on the acrylic block with a curve that followed the curve of the paper (one of the great things about clear stamps - straight images can be curved). Stamped with Versamark and then heat embossed with gold. Drew a gold line along the edge of the light purple. Ended off with a straight sentiment - I had considered making it curve too but it was "too much" of a good thing and the stright sentiment really seems to balance all the curves!!

Supplies: stamps-Life, Garden of Life (Papertrey Ink); Cardstock-Plum Pudding, Lavender Moon (Papertrey Ink); Ink - Plum Pudding (Papertrey Ink); Other - gold embossing powder, gold marker.

Thanks for dropping in again today!!

Donelda

Clean and Simple (CAS) Challenge - 41 Purse and Corrosive Challenge

Note: this is only 1 of 3 posts on my blog today. Make sure you check out hte other 2 which also have challenge cards. Also don't forget to go to THIS POST to enter to win my 50,000 hits blog candy!! Okay, so on Friday the CAS challenge was a link to Vera Bradley purses for our inspiration. I picked this purse because I love this oriential feel and that bird looked like my favorite bird out of the Papertrey Ink, Birds Of A Feather set. All the white is embossed.

This also fits the Corrosive challenge #38 - embossing.

Supplies: Stamps-Birds of a Feather, Life, Borders & Corners{rectange} and {square}, Faux Ribbon (all Papertrey Ink); Ink - Versamark; Paper - chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Whisper White (all Stampin' Up!); other - white embossing powder.

Remember to check out my other 2 challenge card posts for this weekend. (and to enter a comment to be able to win some blog candy).

Donelda

Tulip Hello and Blog Candy Give Away .... 50,000 Hits!!!

Okay, so it happened...my blog hit 50,000 yesterday! Wow, that seemed to happen so fast!! To celebrate and say thanks to all you wonderful viewers, I have a little blog candy for one lucky person. If you want a chance to win, leave me a comment on this post and tell me what you would like to see more of on my blog. On Wednesday Nov. 25, I will randomly pick someone to send this package of goodies to, which includes 2 Papertrey Ink ink cubes (orange zest and melon berry - not shown in picture), a stamp set from Recollections, a bunch of little flowers, some chipboard letters and a while bunch more great stuff (I'll list everything at the end of this whole post). I participated in this CAS challenge way back in July. And that layout has just stuck in my head. I seem to keep using this layout over, and over, and over. Here is yet another card using it!! Is that oval stamp adorable??!! I like it a lot. It is in the Wishing You set from Papertrey Ink. I bought it earlier this year but haven't used it nearly enough. And lately, I am trying to use stamps that I haven't used enough!! I took a piece of white cardstock and added this beautiful strip of stripped designer paper (Me and My Big Idea 8x8 pad). I placed a piece of satin Raspberry Fizz ribbon and tied it on the side with a piece of white thread. To this I added the oval stamped with Raspberry Fizz and cut it out. I added a layer of Chcocolate Chip cardstock cut with my scallop oval die. On top of this I stamped the small sentiment with Chocolate Chip ink. I really need to pull this stamp out and use it even more. It is just so cute!! Your comments are appreciated ... leave some if you want me to be happy :-) Donelda Blog Candy - Flowers For You stamp set (Recollections), Chipboard stickers (Cloud 9 Design), Florabella rub ons (Scrapworks), decorative leaf accents (Black Ink), Textured Chipboard alphabets and numbers in chocolate (Chatter Box), Film Strip and Vacation ABCs rub ons (Royal and Langnickel), 6 tubes of glitter (red, blue, green, gold, silver, and white), felt flowers (Stampin' Up!), ribbon and pearl flowers (Offray), and various squares of cardstock with 4 different edges (straight, small wave, bigger wave, and pinked).

CAS 40 - Color Challenge - Silver Snowflake

Here is my card for the Clean and Simple Challenge #40 - Color Challenge. The challenge was to use white and one other color. It's a good thing that Jen reminded us that Black is a color!! It is always easy to forget that and I'm sure I would have messed up the card!! Last weekend my family and I were doing a bit of Christmas shopping at Walmart when I came across these snowflake

ornaments - 6 for $1.96. I couldn't resist and knew they would come in handy!! My added color is Silver!! Sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Take a Bough set and is embossed in silver. I'm glad I finally got a chance to finish this challenge...just in time to see what the next one is - tomorrow night!! Thanks for dropping in. Have a great weekend. Donelda

CAS 38 - Ways to Use Brads - Holly Brads

The latest Clean and Simple challenge over at SCS is#38 and Jen asked us to pull out our brads or eyelets and use it on a card.

It was all a bit of an accident - just walked by this stamped image. You see, I had taken this stamp and made a bunch of impressions using Twinkling H2Os last year but didn't use them all. I keep all my Christmas stuff in a seperate box so when I walked by thinking about how I would ever create a CAS card using brads....I saw this image and instantly knew what I would do!!!

I cut the image out making sure to emphasize the curvy corners. Then I put brads in where the holly berries are at. I adhered it to the card with dimensionals. Then came the tricky part, where to put the sentiment!!?? It ended up bottom center of the image. A few rounded corners and the card was finished!!

Supplies: Stamps-Happiest of Holidays (retired Stampin' Up!), Faux Ribbon (Papertrey Ink); Ink - Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink); Paper - Whisper White (Stampin' Up!); Other - Twinkling H20, paint brush, brads (Making Memories, I think), dimensionals, corner rounder.

Thanks for dropping in to my blog. Your comments matter !! :-)

Donelda