Lighthouse Throwdown

Some lovely cool tones for this week's  Color Throwdown Challenge ... aqua, black, and white...which made me think of Papertrey Ink's "Guiding Lights" set...

Here is my take on this breezy, striped, summery inspiration photo, 

I used PTI's "Cover Plate :Waves" to make an impression on watercolor paper, then colored with Zig Clear Color Watercolor Markers and a water brush.

I added the sentiment from "Guiding Lights" on a sheet of Judkins Embossable Window Plastic and heat embossed it in white.

This card is more masculine, so I didn't turn it into a shaker like I originally planned, but did add one iridescent sequin for a "light" and embossed the outer frame with "Cover Plate: Waves,"
 to match up with the inner layer. What inspiring colors this week!

Make it Monday: Lots of Dots

Michelle Leone had a fabulous PTI "Make it Monday" this week in which she added colorful dots to her card by using Nuvo Drops on a stamped image! Since I purchased "Butterfly Blooms" AND Nuvo Drops after using them at Michelle's house, I used them again for this technique...

I heat embossed the butterfly in white on watercolor paper, then used my Zig Clean Color Watercolor Markers to color it. The background is made with the Lace Bouquet stamp set, also embossed in white. I sponged some Distress Inks over the background to add soft color to highlight the lace images.

I used Crystal Nuvo Drops to color the butterfly, then added a sentiment from Butterfly Blooms and a few clear sequins.  Nuvo Drops are VERY addicting! Once you buy one bottle, you want all of the colors! Thanks to my "play date" with Michelle and Karen Walker, I have quite a few bottles now 😊!!

Cascading Flip Flops

Stephanie Gold posted such a fun Make it Monday video at Papertrey Ink this week called "Cascading Die Cuts". I couldn't wait to play along! Here is my summer-inspired card with the "Flippin' Out" stamp set and dies!

Underneath each flip flop, I stamped the Sand Swatch Mini Background in Kraft ink on Kraft paper

.

So much fun and looks authentic every time I use this image with Kraft ink and paper. These bright  flip flop colors are faves of mine from AMuse Studio...Cobalt, Margarita, and Berry with some lovely Mango Fresh Ink from Impress!

Patriotic Fence Throwdown

This week at the Color Throwdown Challenge, some patriotic shades of red, white, and blue...

I used PTI's Picket Fence die, Petite Pots, and Sentiment Staples: Birthday for my little scene...

Added a mini banner cut with a Mama Elephant die.

The fence is embossed with a Woodgrain Impression plate, and some little Nuvo Dots all around. Wishing you a Memorial Day full of remembrances, patriotism, family, and friends.

Good Day, Sunshine!

This week at the Simon Says Stamp blog, the Monday Challenge was to make a project inspired by a  song. These Lawn Fawn "Hello Sunshine" images made me think of the Beatles' song, "Good Day, Sunshine." I was also inspired to try Jennifer McGuire's "Stamped-Fold Card Designs" shown HERE. SO amazing!

Not quite what I had pictured in my mind, but still cheery!

Here is a close up of my little flap...next time, I think I will go a little bigger like Jennifer did in her tutorial! Added PTI's Picket Fence die and Simon Says Stamps' "Artsy Flower Parts" to the scene.

 Inside a few more images and a sentiment from Lawn Fawn's "Hello Sunshine."

The inside has some cloud patterned paper while the outside is stamped in yellow with the Gingham Backgrounder, an oldie but goodie from Cornish Heritage Farms!

I just loved this technique, can't wait to try it again...maybe tomorrow!

Peony Bouquet

Got a chance to go to my favorite stamp store Buffalo Stamps this weekend, and bought my first Altenew set with dies...Peony Bouquet.

Had a scrap frame stamped with the Canvas Cover-A_Card background from Impression Obsession and also used a Striped Backgrounder from Cornish Heritage Farms. The sentiment is from the Artsy Flowers set from Simon Says Stamp. Also bought my first set of Catherine Pooler inks! This peony is stamped in 3 of her yellows...Shea Butter, Tiara  and Sauna. So fun!

Summer Florals Throwdown

This week at the Color Throwdown Challenge are some fresh and fun colors to use...red, pale yellow, and grey! I  chose to use WPlus9 Studio's "Southern Summer Florals" stamp set and dies

for my card...

Also used a sentiment from Simon Says Stamp, popped up some flowers, and added Nuvo Jewel Drops in Limoncello. The paper is from an older DCWV pad.

Hope YOU have a beautiful day, too!