Relax and Enjoy the Sun

I love this sketch and thought it would be a great place for Newton Scoots By.   Then, I found this adorable paper in an Echo Park stack.... I worked and worked to get the sentiment in the die just right....then, it slipped in the die cutting machine!  It's a little crooked but works so well with this image.  Hopefully Newton will for give me for than and for giving him a Tony the Tiger "fur-do".

Thanks so much for visiting,
Christine

Linking to Inky Paws 100th Challenge (sketch option)
SSS Wednesday Challenge (Travel/Vacation)

Happy Birthday

The June challenge over on The Cat's Pajamas Blog is "all things summer".  I hope this card qualifies with its warm colors and florals even though the beautiful TCP die is called  Spring Wreath.  I cut the wreath and layering pieces from watercolor paper and brushed ink over them using make up brushes that resemble life-changing ink brushes.  The striped area was stenciled using the same green ink as the wreath base, also utilizing the brushes.    My plaid stamp has been MIA...I was ever so grateful to find it in my craft closet stuck to a container.  (I seldom lose stamps or dies, and this was driving me crazy!) Anyway, it is good to have it back, and the colors in this card make me happy!

Thanks for taking a look,
Christine

Linking to:
The Cat's Pajamas

You're such a "deer"!

Hello stamping friends,

I am playing along with the Inky Paws Challenge again, and this one is a big one in celebration of their 100th challenge!  This time, I chose to play with my favorite (well, actually, I have more than one NN favorite, but that will be for another time....) set, Deer Friend.

This is  my first attempt at no-line coloring.  I am not a great "color-er", but I wanted this card to have a subtle look, and no-line work is often so soft and sweet.  I stamped in SSS Barely Beige ink and colored the image with Marco Raffine pencils.    I brushed grass and sky with Distress Oxide inks in Cracked Pistachio and Peacock Feathers, planning to cut the background down with a heart die.  I thought it looked interesting turned to the side, and I cut out two smaller hearts using the tiny dies from Deer Friend and mounting them on foam tape for dimension.  The background panel was cut using NN Frames and Flags dies....a crafty splurge that I enjoy often!

Thanks for visiting,
Christine

Linking to Inky Paws Challenge (favorite NN stamps)
Word Art Wednesday
Shopping Our Stash (so punny)

Newton's Nook: Thanks a Bunch

Newton's Nook is hosting their 100th Inky Paws Challenge, and they have mixed this one up for even more fun than usual.  I am playing along using the color challenge of my choice, watercoloring Floral Fringe with Arteza Real Brush markers and scattering some sequins around the sentiment.

Thanks to the folks at the Inky Paws challenge for lots of inspiration.  I love to play along every chance I get!

Christine

Linking to:
Inky Paws Challenge 100 (Color)
Word Art Wednesday
PIP Challenge

Mojo Monday 518

School has been out for two weeks, but I felt like summer really started today.  The first week of vacation is always dedicated to preparing for a week of community ministry which occurred last week.   Most of the follow-up for that very blessed time of service is completed, and I finished the last of my professional learning courses this afternoon.

So, I treated myself to a little playtime with the new Mojo Monday sketch, turning Mojo Monday into "oops-it's-Monday"!  I planned to arrange the pretty blooms from Kindness Matters in the place of the square and to replace the descending banner with some Sprightly Sprigs.  Then.....I stamped the sentiment in the lower right hand corner of the striped panel and created a smudge. The flowers found a new home, and the sentiment is inside.  The "cover-up" created a nice card, but I would like to try again and follow the sketch more closely.


Thanks for taking a look at my revisions,
Christine

Linking to:
Mojo Monday
Word Art Wednesday
PIP Challenge
Ellibelle's Wednesday Challenge (Summer Colors)
Crafting by Designs (a/g)

Made From Pink Scraps

I am busily involved with a week of community service and have lots of things to give thanks for.  I whipped up a quick little note card using some fun dies and a pile of pink and mint scraps.  So grateful for all the help we've had and for a card that came together quickly.

Dies included:
SSS Heart Doily
PTI Mix and Mat Plaid Die
Newton's Nook Frames and Flags

Thanks for visiting,
Christine

Linking to:
PIP Challenge
Word Art Wednesday

Honorable Mention

Masculine Thanks

Just sharing a quick thank you card created for a special young man.  He, in fact, is a former student who delivered a wonderful motivational message to the community service group I will be working with next week.  What a blessing to see a student grow into such a fine leader.

Thanks for visiting,
Christine

Linking to
SSS Wednesday Challenge (Masculine)