Roses September Challenge Iris Fold

It's already the last Sunday of the month in Australia and Sue has posted her card for the Roses challenge so here's mine too!

Kym set the challenge for the Roses this month -- to do a card with an Iris Fold. I had never done one of these and had a lot of fun trying a new technique. There are lots of free patterns on the internet -- I started off very simply but was very pleased with the results. Even for just a simple triangle, it really has a lot of "wow" factor!

Decided to try my hand at another one -- it is not technically an Iris Fold because it doesn't have the iris in the center and the papers aren't folded; they are just a single layer, but I still like the effect that was achieved. Here it is....

Just love that strand of Christmas lights!!!! A couple of days ago Kym posted a Halloween cat and was kind enough to send me the pattern. My poor little plain card is nothing like hers, but again, I do like the impact of this technique.

Check out the other Roses. Their links are on my sidebar.
Betty

AnnaBelle Stamps Challenge

I'm really grateful for all the sketch challenges that are helping me get my birthday cards made this week! This time, it's a clean and simple sketch from AnnaBelle Stamps (ABSC054).

I used a Sizzix Texturz Backgrounds plate on the Creamy Caramel card stock; it's a subtle impression that I like on that expanse of "clean"; unfortunately you can't see it in the photo. I printed up a page full of these colored butterflies and cut them out the other night when I couldn't sleep -- might as well get something accomplished in the early morning hours!! The butterfly is coated with Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel and adhered to a panel cut with a Ribbon Tag from Spellbinders; birthday stamps are from Gina K. Designs. I lucked into finding a ribbon in my stash that matched really well.

May be back later if I get another one done!
Betty

A Butterfly Birthday

 This is my entry for the Freshly Made Sketch Challenge #54. Background paper and white band was embossed with a Cuttlebug folder. The colored butterfly is a computer printed file and (as my friend Mary Anne K. did recently) a layer of ultra thick embossing enamel was applied to the top of the butterfly to give it a nice shine and a bit of texture. An added bonus is that the tips of the wings  turned up slightly when heat was applied.

Here is the sketch; hope you will be able to play along with this challenge.

Adios,
Betty

Paper Pieced Leaves

Patti J. has the current Designers Choice Challenge at the Repeat Impressions blog, The House That Stamps Built. The challenge is paper piecing. Patti made the prettiest pocket card with fall colors and leaves and I just had to CASE it, although mine did turn out quite differently. I love that about CASEing cards!

I'd also like to enter this card into the Timeless Tuesday challenge at the Flourishes blog. Their challenge is to make a fall themed card.

My leaves were stamped on designer paper and fussy cut. Showed the card to my hubby and he didn't realize that the insert was to be pulled out; he asked how someone would know, so I added a little leaf with the word "pull" written on it!! Here's the card showing the insert too.

I'm making birthday cards for our church members this week. Thanks Patti, for the inspiration for this one!

Betty

A Birthday Flourish

My monochromatic card was made for the challenge at Joan's Gardens. Actually, the challenge has nothing to do with being monochromatic, that's just how the card turned out!! The challenge is.......
   Use designer paper for background
   Use a dimensional flower
   Use a flourish
   Use a sentiment
I think I got it all covered. My background paper is colored very subtly and I embossed it with Cuttlebug's Kassie's Brocade folder after stamping the flourish. My flourish is from a See D's set and the sentiment is from Gina K. Designs. I had a paper flower in my stash and I added the small crocheted flower to it, along with a center brad.

Betty

A Snowman Christmas

I made this card for the challenge at Joan's Gardens which is .......
To use a tree,
      use a snowman,
           use a blue and white color combo,
                 and use a corner embellishment.

I thought this would be a good card to send to my grandkids, especially since it has "hidden" pictures in the word Noel. This stamp comes from an Inkadinkado Christmas set.

Betty

Freshly Made Sketches #53

Here's my card for the challenge at Freshly Made Sketches. I told you earlier today that I loved this image from Beccy's Place and here it is again!! Actually, I had printed it at two different sizes and this card was made from the one that I had left over.

If you've never played along with the Freshly Made Sketch Challenges, I'd like to encourage you to give it a try. The sketches are always wonderful and lots of fun to use as your card layout. This challenge closes on Monday at noon, PST so you'll need to get a move on if you want to play this week! Check back with them on Wednesday if you don't have time for this one!

Betty

Repeat Impressions Sketch S1912

I just love this colored image from Beccy's Place with the watercolor effect behind the image -- the colors match some scrap paper that I have perfectly!  I used the sketch from The House that Stamp Built so without further delay, here is Repeat Impressions Sketch S1912.......hope you'll be able to play along with this sketch!

Wanted to share some different colors with you -- a sunrise from several days ago -- such beauty!

Hope you all have a beautiful day!
Betty

I'm Dreaming of a Pink? Christmas

Thought I would go for a unique color combo for a Christmas card. Actually, I started out making the focal image just for fun and then decided it would work with the sketch for Merry Monday. I stamped the focal image (Stampin' Up), then cut it out with a scalloped circle die and added shading. Next I cut it into four pieces and adhered it to a larger scalloped circle. A pink pearl was placed in the center. I used two different ribbons down the center of the card and made a bow with the pink ribbon. The sentiment from Gina K. Designs was stamped and then cut out with a Fancy Tags die and shading added.

It getting closer to Christmas and I want to be ready!!!
Betty

Sunflowers and Buttons

Here is my card for the following challenges:
Card Positioning Systems - Sketch #283
Catered Crop - add a knot (hope the knot in my bow qualifies!)
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #157 - make a harvest card or fall/autumn project

Here's the sketch from Card Positioning Systems. 

A happy Monday to you all -- hope your week goes well!
Betty

A Merry Monday Christmas Card

Lesley has a really neat sketch for the Merry Monday challenge this week. Here it is.....

My card used a different shape so there was more coverage on the front of the card but I think that you can still see the sketch. The papers are from an old Stampin' Up Christmas pack and the image is from the Flourishes set Doves and Holly. I cut out the uppermost holly leaf so that the Spellbinders die was able to cut out the image. One more Christmas card for my collection!

Betty

Two More Birthday Cards

This card is for an 11 year old young man who only has one kidney and cannot play contacts sports. However, since he was 5 years of age he has had a tremendous love for music and he plays the piano.

Sorry, I cannot remember where the digital images came from. I had thought to use a silhouette of a grand piano but decided that the keyboard I used was more appropriate for an 11 year old -- a little more fun!!

This card uses another image from Beccy's Place that I colored. I love the tulips and fancied up the border and the sentiment with some rhinestone bling. Along with Spellbinders dies I used a Martha Stewart punch; I think the name of the punch is Arched Lattice.

We've had a beautiful sunshiny day today. Had a late lunch at Tony's Restaurant; we both had barbeque ribs, baked potato and vegetables so a light supper is in order tonight! Yay--no cooking!

Bye for now,
Betty

Two Cards -- Two Challenges

I have two more cards to share with you. Both are made with digital images from Beccy's Place. Click on the link to find out more about her September challenge.

This pre-colored image from Beccy inspired my fall looking birthday card. From reading blogs, it sounds as though some of you are beginning to experience some welcomed cooler weather. Yay! The sentiment stamp is from Taylored Expressions' set, Rest and Renewal.  The sketch is from Card Positioning Systems, #282.

I decided to give the Repeat Impressions Sketch S512 at The House That Stamps Built blog another chance. I managed to get in all the required elements this time!

Both of these cards will be donated to my church. We give out birthday cards to church folks each month. I think that especially the fall card will be perfect for an October birthday but I don't think anyone would turn away a birthday peony either!

Betty

Wings Like Eagles

Another special order birthday card for my friend's brother who is a pastor. I found the free eagle picture on the internet, cropped it, lightened it, and added the shadow border around the edges. Next, I added the sentiment and then printed it out. Next step was to stamp the scripture verse from a Taylored Expressions set, Rest and Renewal. Finished off the card with paper from a black and white paper pack and a wide black and gray ribbon from my stash. I really like the simple lines of it for a guy's card.

I'll be linking this up to Word Art Wednesday since it has an inspirational scripture. Oh, to just let go of striving in our own power, spread our wings, and be uplifted by the strength of the Lord.

Betty

Welcome Back to the USA!

No, I'm not moving back -- I am sharing a card today that I made for a friend to send to her grandson who is back in the States from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. The colored image is from Dearie Dolls Digis and I think it's one of the cutest things I've ever seen! He looks a little bit like Charlie Brown, I'm thinking!

Hope you all have wonderful plans for the weekend -- today we will be having lunch with a friend at a lakeside restaurant.

Betty

Christmas is Coming!

Flourishes is releasing their Christmas stamp sets a month early so that we'll all have plenty of time to get our cards made!! This card is for their Any Which Way Sketch Challenge -- take a look....

Now, this sketch challenge will appeal to just about anyone!! Simply choose the orientation that appeals most to you and join in to win the entire release of FIVE new stamp sets!! I'm sure there will be lots more activities on the Flourishes blog next week leading up to the release but this is a chance to win BIG for the early bird.

My card is made with two Flourishes sets, All That Glitters and Christmas Music. I stamped the ornament on cardstock from a Shimmer Matstack by DCWV. I used my glitter pen to add some contrasting sparkle and then cut it out and popped it up to "hang" it on the branch. The pieces of patterned paper I used were scraps and the taffeta ribbon is from Stampin' Up.

Hope you'll join in on the challenge -- deadline is September 14 at 5 pm EST. And be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the activities next week. I haven't been able to play along for a couple of months but am looking forward to the upcoming fun!!

Betty

A Vase of Flowers

My card below started out with this Repeat Impressions sketch. Unfortunately, the paper I chose did not work with the sets of three on either side at the bottom of the card so I won't be entering it into the challenge but I am grateful for the sketch!

The image I used is from Beccy's Place. My last post used one of her colored images but I did the coloring on this one with Stampin' Up watercolor crayons and a blender pen and then cut it out and popped up on the oval mats. The white was embossed with Swiss Dots ef, but don't know if you can see it in the picture. Beccy's September challenge is to make a card using any one of her images and you can enter as often as you like, so this one will be entered in that challenge, along with the card in my previous post.

Hope you all have a weekend full of crafting time!

Betty

A Floral Birthday

Making cards for my friend at church again. This one features a colored digi from Beccy's Place. Isn't it beautiful? I could have probably done okay coloring the flower but what really caught my eye about Beccy's coloring is the gorgeous watercolored effect around the flower. I could never do that and it adds so much to the image!! Beccy's September Challenge at her blog is to make a card using any of her images so I'll enter this card in that challenge.

I'd also like to enter this card into the challenge at the  Repeat Impressions Stamps blog, The House That Stamps Built. The Designer's Choice Challenge is to use flowers.

The sky is a little overcast in my part of the world today. Hope the sun decides to stick its head out before too long!

Betty