MFT's Card Superstar CAS Challenge

Today, I've created my final card for the My Favorite Things Card Superstar Contest (Clean and Simple Challenge). I also managed to use a stamp set I'd purchased a LONG time ago but never used.

My card measures 5" x 7". I stamped all of the images from the MFT "Party Like a Pirate" stamp set. I stamped them with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Copic XPress-It Blending Card. CAS cards are supposed to be one layered, with minimal embellishments, and I wanted some images to overlap (skull, coins, etc.). To do that, I created some "masks," by stamping the images on another piece of paper, fussy cutting them, and placing them over images I wanted to keep in the front when I stamped. In the end, I had 2 pirates, a treasure chest, three piles of coins, and a skull.

I colored everything with Copics. After I finished coloring all of the characters, I decided I wanted a palm tree, but I didn't have a stamp I liked. Instead, I cut out the top of the palm tree and trunk from MFT's "Beach Scene Builder Die-Namics" die set. I used them as an outline guide and traced around them very lightly in pencil. Once I had my pencil outlines, I added details with my Copics, including rearranging some leaves to make it fit the scene a bit more.

I felt like the adorable pirates needed some waves, clouds and sand to complete the scene. I took the "Wave Maker Stencil" and lightly traced the edges, using my pencil. After I had two rows of waves, I used the "Mini Cloud Edges Stencil" in the same way, lightly tracing along the edges with my lightest blue color (B000). I used some Post-It Tape to mask a top and bottom edge, so I'd have a nice, crisp edge between the color and white space. After all of that, I simply went in with my Copics and colored everything.

Since this design is clean-and-simple, I didn't add any embellishments. I added a tiny red mat, to highlight the pirates' red clothes, with a white mat at the bottom. Before I assembled everything, I stamped one of the sentiments from "Party Like a Pirate" just above the colored section of the card.

List of all stamps/dies/stencils used on this card:

• Party Like a Pirate stamp set (My Favorite Things)
• Beach Scene Builder Die-Namics (My Favorite Things)
• Wave Maker Stencil (My Favorite Things) 
• Mini Cloud Edges Stencil (My Favorite Things)

Other supplies:

• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Copic markers (various)

I hope ye' have a GRRRRRREAT day, matey!

MFT's Card Superstar Innovation Challenge

Today, I've created a card for the My Favorite Things Card Superstar Contest (Innovation Challenge). I decided to have some fun with this card and tried to use one of MFT's interactive die sets in a different way.

The interactive mechanism (sliding bats) is from MFT's Falling from the Clouds Frame Die-Namics set, used a little differently. Typically, crafters string beads on the invisible thread, creating falling rain, stars, etc. I decided to make my bats slide up and down the thread instead.

This card is slimline, measuring 3.5" x 8.5". I stamped all of the images from the "Witch Way is the Candy" My Favorite Things stamp set. I stamped them with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Copic XPress-It Blending Card.

After that, I colored everything with Copics and fussy cut each character/image. I probably would've added more bats if I didn't have to fussy cut them, LOL!  After I cut all of the characters, I started to work on the mechanism and background.

I needed to overlap the stringing mechanism over the edge of the bottom panel, so I cut my cloud panel at 2.5" x 8.5". I used MFT's Cloud Stencil and Stormy Sky Distress Oxide Ink to create the cloudy background. I cut 6 of the stringing sections from the interactive die set, then attached them with a foam strip, with the slotted part overlapping the edges of the card. (For a demo of how to use this die set, please check out MFT's Falling from the Clouds Frame Die-Namics product page.) I had to trim the sections so they would cover the 8.5" wide card. It looked like this before I stuck the stringing sections on the foam:

Next, I rummaged around in my jewelry-making stash until I found some tube-shaped beads that I thought would work for this project. (I don't make jewelry anymore, but I still have a hoard of beads that I just can't seem to part with!) I strung the beads on the invisible thread, spacing them so each bead would fit under a bat wing. I wanted to be sure the bats would remain stuck to the card and would be well supported as they slide.

I took a thin piece of paper (about 0.15" wide), put double-sided tape on it, and then wrapped it around pairs of beads. I did that to create a stable "bar" for the bat, as I knew the bat would stay attached to paper and the beads would hold their shape/still slide. It looked like this:

Next, I used more double-sided tape to attach the bats to the bars. Since they are attached to a bar, instead of just to the beads, the wings bend outwards... which I love! I verified that they slid up and down easily, then focused on building the rest of the frame.

I die-cut the grass panel with MFT's Slimline Grassy Hills Die-Namics, and then I had another challenge. I needed an 8.5" x 0.8" panel of clouds, but I didn't have a cloud die. I decided to solve this problem by cutting a 1" x 8.5" piece of cardstock and then STENCILING the clouds on, using MFT's Cloud Stencil. Once I was happy with the shape and shading, I simply trimmed the panel along the cloud's humps! I inked both panels with Distress Oxide Inks (Stormy Sky, Mowed Lawn, and Twisted Citron). I die cut MFT's Spooky Fence and inked that with Black Soot Distress Oxide. I lightly splattered the grass panel with water and blotted it dry, just for some texture.

Before I attached the cloud panel, I stamped it with a sentiment from MFT's Sassy Pants Spooktacular stamp set. Finally, I assembled everything, and the final card works this way!

List of all stamps/dies/stencils used on this card:

• Witch Way is the Candy stamp set (My Favorite Things)
• Falling from the Clouds Frame Die-Namics (My Favorite Things)
• Cloud Stencil (My Favorite Things) 
• Slimline Grassy Hills Die-Namics (My Favorite Things)
• Spooky Fence Die-Namics (My Favorite Things) 
• Sassy Pants Spooktacular stamp set (My Favorite Things)

Other supplies:

• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Copic markers (various)
• Distress Oxide Inks (Stormy Sky, Mowed Lawn, Twisted Citron, and Black Soot)
• Invisible thread (any brand)
• Tube-shaped seed beads

Have a boo-tiful day!

MFT Coloring Contest Card Entry

Today, I've created a card for the My Favorite Things Card Superstar Contest (Coloring Challenge). I also managed to use three stamp sets I'd purchased but never used before.

This card is slimline, measuring 3.5" x 8.5". I stamped all of the images from several My Favorite Things stamp sets: Sweet Shop, Our Story, and All Tucked In. I stamped them with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Copic XPress-It Blending Card.

After that, all I did was color. I used my Copics to color everything, including drawing a "wooden" floor. I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock, then trimmed the end at an angle (with scissors) for some visual interest. Since the scene was already so colorful, I added a simple black cardstock layer, as a frame.

List of all stamps/dies/stencils used on this card:

• Sweet Shop stamp set (My Favorite Things)
• Our Story stamp set (My Favorite Things)
• All Tucked In stamp set (My Favorite Things)

Other supplies:

• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Copic markers (various)

Have a sweet day!

Good Heart Floral Card

I'm still on a mission to use stamps and dies I "NEEDED" but never used, and I utilized two digital stamps and one physical stamp set (that were all just gathering dust) to make this card.

The floral image is from the Life Happens Digital Stamp Set by Graciellie Design. Since these are digital stamps, I took a sentiment from another Graciellie set (Your Kindness) and placed in prominently in the corner. I also added a butterfly from the Beautiful Butterflies clear stamp set (Simon Says Stamp), which I stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink after printing the digital stamps.

This is a 5" x 6.5" card, and fairly straightforward and simple. I printed the flowers/sentiment on Copic XPress-It Cardstock and colored everything with Copics. I also colored the butterfly with Copics, using some blue shades and the same yellow I used on the flower. Finally, I adorned the card with a few Rose and Clear Swarovski crystals for sparkle.

List of all stamps/dies/stencils used on this card:

• Life Happens digital stamp set (Graciellie Design)
• Your Kindness digital stamp set (Graciellie Design)
• Beautiful Butterflies clear stamp set (Simon Says Stamp)

Other supplies:

• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Copic markers (various)
• Clear and Rose Swarovski crystals

Have a wonderful day!

Do Good, Be Kind Floral Card

I enjoyed coloring the last floral image by Graciellie Design, and I had another one I'd never colored, so here's the second floral card for this week.

The floral image is from the Fresh Start Digital Stamp Set by Graciellie Design. Since these are digital stamps, I took a sentiment from another Graciellie set (Your Kindness) and added it to the mug. I thought that was a nice, subtle way to add a message.

This is a 5" x 6.5" card, and fairly straightforward and simple. I printed the flowers on Copic XPress-It Cardstock and colored everything with Copics. Since I'd already added the sentiment before printing, I just finished it with a few Sunflower Swarovski crystals for sparkle.

List of all stamps/dies/stencils used on this card:

• Fresh Start digital stamp set (Graciellie Design)
• Your Kindness digital stamp set (Graciellie Design)

Other supplies:

• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Copic markers (various)
• Sunflower Swarovski crystals

Do good, be kind!

Happy Floral Card

I printed out this floral digital stamp about four months ago, then buried it under other things on my desk and forgot about it. When I found it today, I decided to color it and turn it into a card.

The floral image is from the Happy Moments Digital Stamp Set by Graciellie Design.

This is a 4.25" x 5.5" card. I printed the flowers on Copic XPress-It Cardstock and colored everything with Copics. I added a simple stamped sentiment on the same layer as the flowers, and finished with a few Clear Swarovski crystals for sparkle.

List of all stamps/dies/stencils used on this card:

• Happy Moments digital stamp set (Graciellie Design)
• Mon Ami stamp set (CAS-ual Fridays)

Other supplies:

• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Copic markers (various)
• Clear Swarovski crystals

I hope you have an amazing day!

Haunt It Witch Card

For whatever reason, I'm still in the mood to make Halloween cards, although I think I'm nearing the end of that phase. Today, I'm sharing a witch who is too cute to spook!

I won a $20 gift certificate for Polkadoodles from a Kit and Clowder Facebook giveaway, and this digital stamp (Winnie Wednesday Witch and Cat) was one of the images I purchased with it. She's just so creepy cute!

This is a 5" x 7" card. I printed Winnie on Copic XPress-It Cardstock and colored her with Copics. Lime green and grape purple is my favorite Halloween color combo.

The floor is patterned cardstock, and the wallpaper is just stripes I drew with a ruler and colored. I added a simple stamped sentiment and cut the right side at an angle, for some visual interest. I added a few Amethyst Swarovski crystals for sparkle.

List of all stamps/dies/stencils used on this card:

• Winnie Wednesday Skull digital stamp (Polkadoodles)
• Sassy Pants Spooktacular stamp set (My Favorite Things)

Other supplies:

• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Copic markers (various)
• Amethyst Swarovski crystals

I hope you have a spooktacular day!