AUTUMN WREATH

At first, I didn't know whether I could do a card in the colors for Altenew's September Inspiration Challenge as I probably would never have thought of using them together - but that's what it's all about!

I used a method Jennifer McGuire did recently of smudging distress inks on a piece of watercolor paper and generously spritzing with water.  I used some seedless preserves, barn door, forest moss, carved pumpkin and rusty hinge.  I did two pieces with the same colors so I would have a large variety of leaves from which to choose after die cutting with Altenew's zero-waste die.  The card base is kraft cardstock and the brick wall is some purple cs.  I blended mocha ink onto the bricks for a little added interest.  Some enamel dots and a twine bow were the finishing touches.  This may be a fall birthday card or maybe for Thanksgiving - for now it will remain without a sentiment.

 All for now...

 

PLAID HALLOWEEN

 A late entry for Die Cut Divas where the challenge is a Z fold card "anything goes" at the Creative Creases Challenge.  

I made a few cards last Halloween similar to this one from an idea from Katharina Tarta on IG.  Fortunately I had one I saved so I didn't have to hunt around for measurements.  The paper is quite old - I think I was saving it for something special and I guess this is it!  There's another black and white small pumpkin under the fold on the right.  The plaids match when the card is folded up.

Thanks for stopping by...

 

BLUE FLOWERS

Time for another TicTacToe Challenge with a nautical theme - but still managed to do my usual floral card!!  I went down the left side with stencil, blue and stripes.  My design could also go across the top with stencil, birthday and die cut.

I inked the stripes with a very old stripe stencil and Altenew "nimbus" ink. Used nimbus ink to shade the die cut flowers and  also for the added enamel dots.  The flowers were cut from cloudy sky cardstock and the leaves were from my scraps.

Hope you'll join our challenge - it runs until 11 September!  Crafty hugs,

 

AUTUMN LEAVES

I felt like doing a little watercoloring the other day.  Used a piece of bubble wrap to smoosh some yellow, orange and pink  watercolors.  After I finished playing around, I die cut the piece with a Altenew zero waste die.

Then it was a work in progress for several days as I had no set idea where this card was going.  So tried lots of ideas until I settled on this green and gold with the wc piece.  The little dot cut outs were filled in with a gold metallic pen.  I used a "hugs" sentiment to finish my card.

I am entering this at the Altenew Inspiration Challenge as their August colors are pink, green and cream. 

Crafty hugs,

 

EASEL CARD

I recently joined in one of the card classes on the Cardmakers Summit for holiday cards.  Nicki Baxley demoed an easel card and don't think I've ever made one - so had a go this weekend.

Both the wreath and the bird are very old dies.  I die cut the wreath from three shades of green and layered them together.  Added both enamel dots and little die cut dots for the berries and added a little gold bow.  The embossed background is from Spellbinders.  How to make an easel card is all over YouTube so won't go into that here.  Just be sure your sentiment has a straight top so the card will stand up properly. Instead of layering up die cuts for the sentiment, I cut it out of fun foam - so much easier!!  I used dark green cardstock for my base.  I think I will make more of this style - maybe a poinsettia or an ornament instead of a wreath.

I am entering this at Christmas Kickstart Challenge where they want a wreath on the card.

Thanks for stopping by,