The Male Room - Challenge #135

Hi all, I am playing along with The Male Room card challenge for today's post. The challenge is Sentiment in Focus, easy peasy lemon squeezy.

I went for my go-to style - layers. I cut the designer paper for each layer then added some brown cardstock, the first sentiment I stamped, layered and popped it up with foam tape. I heat embossed the second one on brown cardstock in white, also popped up.

Supplies: White and brown cardstock, Designer Paper - Kaisercraft, Simon Says Stamp - Greeting Mix & Simple Sentiments.

Thanks for visiting,

Nina

Tuesday Morning Sketches #552 - Heartfelt Thanks

I am playing along with Tuesday Morning Sketches for my card today.

I have had a sheet of patterned paper with a cutout pattern with subtle script in my stash for a long time and I put it aside the other day determined to use it. This sketch is perfect to use it.

I used a large scrap of designer paper to create the base panel then added a layer of brown cardstock. I cut the envelope-shaped piece from the cutout paper then also added a layer of brown. I added some shading with some distress inks.

I heat embossed the sentiment in white on brown then added a layer of the reverse side of the pattern. I die cut a flower then added some clear gems to the center and turned up the edges, I added a piece of foam tape to adhere it.

Supplies: White and brown cardstock, Designer paper - Basic Grey, Cut out paper - unknown, Penny Black - Heartfelt, Impression Obsession Dies - Abstract Flowers, gems.

Thanks for stopping by,
Nina

Big Birthday Wishes

This challenge theme is not quite going as planned. I went looking last night and there are many wonderful challenges right now but none of them really inspired me. This is the closest I came to what my creative mine would do last night, I very loosely followed this sketch.

I don't think I could get much more basic than this. I used my stitched rectangle and centered it over the image. I added a layer of brown cardstock then stamped the image.

Supplies: Kraft and brown cardstock, Designer Paper - GotMoxxie, Paper, Papertrey Ink - Birthday Bash.

Thanks for stopping by,
Nina

Snow Dust

Good Morning, are you ready for a little bit of Merry on this Monday? This week the theme is Challenges - As in I am going to try to find a card challenge each day and play along. I am using Paper Playful as my guide to finding challenges each day.

I was going to play along with Addicted to CAS, the current challenge is to use a silhouette. Then I realized as I was happily creating my card, silver is not a silhouette. Day one fail! I love the card though so I am still posting it as I did not have the time to create another one.

I taped off the edges of my card base then heat embossed these trees, which if you look closely have a dusting of silver that flow from the tree. I used distress inks to create the background then used white watercolours and some Nuvo shimmer pen to add splatter.

To finished I stamped the sentiment.

I have never been very good at one layer cards but I impressed myself with this one.

Supplies: White cardstock, Penny Black - Snow dust and Holiday Snippets.

Have a wonderful day,
Nina

Be Amazing

I have a second post for today, I wanted to play along with a challenge and as I was viewing the fabulous cards from the blog hop yesterday  I saw this challenge site listed on one of the blogs.

The theme for the current challenge is Music.

I used my stitched rectangle die cuts for each panel, then I layered some black cardstock in behind for the bottom and top panels. I love the hidden music notes within the hearts.

I die cut some music notes from foam then added a layer of Glossy Accents. The sentiment is popped up with some foam tape and I finished with some black half pearls.

Supplies: Cream and black cardstock, Designer Paper -Authentique, Simon Says Stamp - Uplifting Thoughts, Poppy - Melody Music. Simon Says Stamp - Stitched Rectangles, pearls.

Thanks for stopping by,
Nina

Happy Birthday

I love how this card turned out and it was so easy to put together. I blended distress inks to ink the background, I used a stencil with tree bark texture (birch) and some Nuvo Expanding Mousse in Tuscan Gold and Mustard Seed (bronze) to add some shimmery texture.

I die cut the cattails and added some foam tape to the panel. I stamped the sentiment and added some distress ink to match the background panel, it is also popped up with foam tape.

Supplies: White and brown cardstock, watercolour paper, Simon Says Stamp - Cattail Triptych, Nuvo Expanding Mousse, Kaisercraft - Birch stencil,  Clearly Besotted - Many Mini Messages.

Cheers,

Nina

Keeping Christmas April 2020 - Happy Holidays

Good Morning all, welcome to the April Keeping Christmas Blog Hop. 

I love the soft colours of this designer paper, I created a fun wintry scene for my card this month. I am also continuing with the theme for the week of Mixed Media.

I almost feel that between the paper and the die-cut I used that the card made itself. I used a rectangle die-cut for the bottom panel then used white cardstock the same as the card base with the Delicate Pine Frame die cut. The die-cut creates the outer and inner stitched frames with the inner frame having a connected tree.

I used a rectangle die-cut for the patterned paper to put in behind the frame and I used a snowfall patterned stencil to add some Moda Scrap Brilliant White Fluffy to the panel.  Fluffy had this pretty glitter blended into it.

I used distress inks for the Cardinals then added a layer of Nuvo shimmer pen to the branches of the trees and the birds.

I added a layer of foam tape each of the frame elements and in behind the tree and I finished the card with a tiny sentiment.

Supplies: White cardstock, Designer Paper - Carta Bella, Hero Arts - rectangle die, Memory Box - Delicate Pine Frame, sequins.

Follow along with the other crafters in the Blog Hop, there is lots of inspiration to explore.

Kelly Lunceford (Creator)

 Vicki Finger

 Claire Broadwater

 Lori Tecler

 Nance Salkeld

 Nina Forsyth ( You are here)

 Nancy Guse

 Marybeth Lopez

 Nancy Penir

 Carol Hintermeier

Thanks for stopping by,
Nina

You make me smile

This card took me days to create.. days. I wanted to use my Gelli Plate for one of my cards but after spending way to much time on the interwebs looking for ideas noting worked. This card has so many layers of acrylic paint on it that it is almost ridiculous.

I wanted to try to use stencils but they just blurred and looked wrong and I would add a few more layers to cover it up. Not once did it occur to me to just start over.

There are variations of green, brown, white, cream and blue all blended together. I do like the texture and the sparkle is from a bronze shimmer paint. I die cut the frame and then layered even more paint to try to match the bottom layer. I added some foam tape to the Rose frame to pop it up. I finished with a small stamped sentiment which also had a layer of foam tape.

Supplies: White cardstock, watercolour paper, Simon Say Stamp - Rose Flower Frame, Clearly Besotted - Many Mini Messages.

Thanks for visiting,
Nina

Stellar Human

I used Paper Artsy Infusions to create the interesting panel below. I layered multiple colours onto a piece of watercolour cardstock and used a heat tool so that the colour would not run.

I added a layer of black cardstock for a frame. The sentiment is heat embossed in white and layered with some foam tape, I finished wit some black gems.

Supplies: White and black cardstock, watercolour paper, Paper Artsy - Infusions, Simon Say Stamps - Simple Sentiments No.01, gems.

Thanks for stopping by,

Nina

Simple Pleasures

I used acrylic pouring on my card today. I die cut three layers of watercolour paper then glued them together to create a think canvas like base. I prepped the surface with some gesso before blending a few different colours of acrylic paint with pouring medium and then combined them for a dirty pour.

I let the panel sit for a few days to dry then brushed a layer of cornstarch over the panel to get rid of any remaining damp areas.

I layered both panels with black cardstock and added a layer of foam tape to the sentiment. I finished with some deep blue gems.

As I look at the picture it looks like the sentiment panel is not quite straight, I will try to fix that if I can without damaging the acrylic background.

Supplies: White and black cardstock, watercolour paper, acrylic paint, gesso Penny Black - Happy Wishes, gems.

Thanks for stopping by,

Nina

Watercolour Thanks

Today I created a card that has a watercolour image as the focal point. I heat embossed the image in gold on watercolour paper and coloured it with Daniel Smith watercolours. I added a layer of black cardstock to frame the watercolour panel.

I used twine and a glue dot to adhere the button then finished with the sentiment that was heat embossed and popped up with foam tape.

I originally thought the image was created by Kettle Creek Crafts but I am not sure.

Supplies: White and black cardstock, watercolour paper, Kettle Creek Crafts - Lovely, twine, button.

Thanks for visiting,

Nina

Snow Day

Let's kick this week off with a little bit of a Merry Monday. I am also starting this week's theme with today's post, it may be a stretch for me but I am going to try some form of Mixed Media for a card each day.

Today I used distress inks to add a vintage feel to my card. I used stitched rectangles to create a stitched frame, I added some foam tape in behind it to elevate it. I used a rectangle die cut to cut a panel of patterned paper.

The stitched snowflakes ate also die cuts. I used three colours of Distress inks to get the vintage look I was trying for. I fuzzy cut the sentiment from the same patterned paper sheet and added some foam tape to the word snow.

I finished the card by adding some sparkle sequins.

Supplies: White cardstock, Designer Paper - Ciao Bella, Simon Says Stamp - Stitched rectangles. Lawn Fawn - Stitched Snowflakes, sequins.

Thanks for visiting.

Nina

Hello

I found this interesting patterned paper in my stash, I don't know the manufacturer as it was a gift in a small pack of papers from my sister.

I am not sure if this picture does the paper justice it is a light blue and silver checker pattern. I added a layer of darker blue cardstock to frame it. I used a frame from the stamp set and heat embossed it in black and then die cut it. I stamped the sentiment and cut the panel to fit into the embossed frame. The sentiment panel is popped up with foam tape.

I added in some silver quadrangle frames in behind the sentiment panel then finished the card with some black half pearls.

Supplies: White, silver and blue cardstock, Designer Paper - Unknown, Poppy Stamps - Art Deco You are Wonderful, Simon Says Stamp - Quadrangle Frame, pearls.

Thanks for stopping by,

Nina

Enjoy Today

Layers, Layers and more layers for today's card. I am asleep at the wheel today, I did not prep this post in advance like I do for so many other and today has been a lazy kind of day.

I love all the patterns on this card and I could not decide which one I wanted to use so I just used them all. Black and cream are the monochromatic colours of the day.

I used my stitched rectangles for each layer then added a panel of black cardstock in behind each. The sentiment panel is popped up with foam tape and I finished with some black gems.

Supplies: Cream and black cardstock, Designer Paper-My Mind's Eye, American Crafts-Vicki Boutin Wildflower and Honey, Simon Says Stamp - Stitched Rectangles, gems.

Thanks for stopping by,
Nina

Awesome Thanks

Happy Friday, I have a white and black card for today's monochrome card. The layout is basic, but it works for me. 

I added a layer of black cardstock to each layer, the sentiment is popped up with foam tape and I finished with some black gems and some Nuvo shimmer pen on some of the patterned elements.

Supplies: White and black cardstock, Designer Paper - Honey Bee , Verve - Better Together, gems

Cheers,

Nina

Father's Day

Fabulous layers for this masculine card. I used a kraft card base then built up from there. I used brown cardstock for each layer of patterned paper.

The triple sentiments are popped up with foam tape and then I added some Nuvo drops.

Supplies: Kraft and brown cardstock, Designer Paper - Craftsmart, Clearly Besotted - Miniature Type, Nuvo drops.

Cheers,

Nina

Good Friends

This is more like how I envision with a monochromatic card, this Bo Bunny paper pad is what for that little earwig in my crafty brain. I created multiple layers of black cardstock and patterned paper. I added a strip of black cardstock between layers for interest, it has a little bit of texture I added with an embossing folder.

The sentiment panel and the second layer both have a layer of foam tape to pop them up.

Supplies: White and black cardstock, Designer Paper - Bo Bunny, Penny Black - Happy Wishes, embossing folder.

Thanks for stopping by,
Nina

Happiness

In my brain, a monochromatic card was always black and white, so I am jumping outside of my comfort zone with this card. The patterned paper made it easy though with tones of blue-grey and white.

I used my stitched rectangles to make a series of panels and then used my trimmer to cut them to the varied heights I wanted.

I stamped the sentiment and die cut it with a stitched square and added a layer of foam tape in behind. To finish the card I added some black twine and gems.

Supplies: White cardstock, Designer Paper - Kaisercraft, Penny Black - Sentiment Collection, Simon Says Stamp - stitched rectangles and squares, twine, gems.

Cheers,

Nina

Merry Wishes

Getting a little Merry on this beautiful sunny Monday morning on the Island. The theme for the week is Monochromatic.

I never get tired of using these simple card designs, with different patterned papers the card always looks a little different.

I measured and cut the patterned paper to match the black base layer. I added a thin strip of leftover black cardstock for a defined edge between the patterns. I stamped and matted the sentiment and added a layer of foam tape and then used it to hold the die-cut circles in place. 

I finished with some black half pearls.

Supplies: White and black cardstock, Designer paper - Bazzil Basics, Penny Black - Love & Peace, Simon Says Stamp - Circle Loops, pearls.

Thanks for stopping by,
Nina

Infinitely Grateful

This patterned paper made for a quick and easy card. I used my stitched rectangles die-cut for a panel then added a layer of brown cardstock. 

I layered the sentiment then added some foam tape and I finished with some small brown half pearls.

Supplies: White and brown cardstock, Designer Paper - Kaisercraft, My Favorite Things - Geometric Greenery, half pearls.

Happy Easter,
Nina

Truly Grateful

Digging through my stash of 6 x6 paper pads I found this My Mind's Eye pad that I had picked up at the used stamp sale. I used a dark blue-gray cardstock for the panel then used a couple of layers of patterned paper.

I fussy cut three of the patterned discs out then popped them up with foam tape. I layered the sentiment then finished the card with deep blue gems. 

If you look closely at the lower left of the photo you can see the pretty blue colour of the gem in detail.

Supplies: White and blue-gray cardstock, Designer Paper - My Minds Eye, My Favorite Things - Geometric Greenery, gems.

Thanks for stopping by,

Nina

Particularly Amazing

I am off to an early start for the long weekend, the birds are chirping and it is going to be a glorious day out there and I am going to head out and make tracks before the rest of the Island does the same.

I love the soft and pretty colours from this Moda Scrap paper pack, I used my stitched rectangles to cut out all the panels then just layered them letting each panel compliment the next. The top panel and the sentiment are both popped up with foam tape.

I finished with these gorgeous deep blue gems that have this glimmer in real life, I think they are my new favourite.

Simon Says Stamp is one of my favourite online stores and this year when they did their Crafty surprise parcel that includes a bunch of random crafty stuff. This year mine was full of random die cuts, me being me I had to go and try to find the stamps sets to go with them and I was fortunate to find all but one. One of the best surprises was the MTF Geometric Greenery stamps. I am loving these sentiments.

While I love Simon, I have been doing my darndest to support the Canadian craft stores and stamp vendors, Scrap' n Stamp, Scrapbook Central, and Your Next Stamp all have online stores.

Supplies: White cardstock, Designer Paper - Moda Scrap, My Favorite Things- Geometric Greenery, gems.

Have a spectacular day,
Nina

Thankful for you

Good Morning fabulous followers, I am thankful for you. I had the sweetest email this week and a couple of wonderful surprises in my mailbox as well this week.

I am posting a spring-like thank you card today, I love the soft colours on this patterned paper.

I added a layer of black cardstock to each panel and the top two panels have foam tape as well to add some dimension. Almost hidden in this image is clear crystal gems to finish.

Supplies: White and black cardstock, Designer Paper - Simple Stories, Brutus Monroe - Tree of thanks, gems.

Thank you for stopping by,
Nina

Thank you so much

It is a quick and easy card today, I had some quality time in the craft room last night. I had a good audiobook in my ear and the creative vibe was flowing.

The layout is simple, I used two pieces of patterned paper and added a layer of dark brown cardstock. I added a thin strip of cardstock to divide the panels for some added interest.

I stamped the sentiment, added a layer of cardstock and popped it up with foam tape then finished with so tiny brown half pearls.

Supplies: White and brown cardstock, Designer Paper - Kaisercraft, Brutus Monroe-Tree of Thanks, pearls.

Thank you for stopping by,
Nina

Thank you...

I am trying for another theme this week which is Thanks.

This card had a clean and simple layout, and I love this bold cardstock from Brutus Monrow.

I cut a panel of black cardstock and then a panel of white cardstock. I stamped the sentiment along the right side. I cut the designer paper and pit to the left side of the panel, I added a very thin strip of black cardstock down the center. I finished with some black gems.

Supplies: White and black cardstock, Designer Paper - Brutus Monroe, Close to My Heart stamps, gems.

Thanks for visiting,
Nina

Season's Greetings

Good Morning and Merry Monday - are you ready for a festive card?

I let a Carta Bella paper pad do most of the work for this card. I created two panels then added a layer of black cardstock to each. The long thin panel had a layer of foam tape in behind.

I found these adorable little tags as one of the prints on a page but I wanted to cut them apart and added them to the panel, I have a layer of foam tape in behind, this is also holding the twine in place.

I have the twine wrapping around each tag and then tied off in a double bow at the top.

Supplies: White and black cardstock, Designer Paper - Carta Bella, Penny Black - Holiday Snippets, twine.

Thanks for stopping by,
Nina

Here's to you

Goodness, as I was wrapping my head around what I wanted to type for the last card in the bevies themed week, I moved on to the supply list. I used more supplies on this card than it actually took to make the card.

I started with a stitched rectangles on a grunge print designer paper, I added a layer of black cardstock in behind. I die cut a stitched square and then taped it off and stamped a grunge print in grey ink. I then heat embossed the beer mug twice and fussy cut them both, I ended up only using the foam doubled up. 

I added in some colour with watercolour pencils before popping the mug up with foam tape as well as the square panel below. I heat embossed the sentiment in white on black cardstock and to finished, I added some black half pearls.

Supplies: White and black cardstock, Designer Paper - Scrapberry's, Two Paper Divas - Here's to you, Stampin' Up - Gorgeous Grunge, Simon Says stamp  - stitched Rectangles and squares, Clearly Besotted - Many Mini Messages, half pearls.

Cheers,
Nina

Let's get caffeinated.

Morning all, rise and shine and enjoy a cuppa.

Layers, layers and more layers for my card today. The card base is kraft cardstock, I added a layer of brown cardstock for each of the panels.

I heat embossed the coffee cuts about 4 times for each cup so that I could layer top, bottoms, and sleeves. I fussy cut each of the pieces so I could put them all together adding foam tape to the top and sleeves.

I finished with the sentiment which is also popped up with foam tape and some brown watercolour along the top rim of the cup with a top layer of sparkle pen.

Supplies: Kraft, brown and white cardstock, Designer Paper - Your Next Stamp, Technique Tuesday - Perk Up.

Cheers,

Nina

The best wines

Happy Friday all, I might indulge in a little vino this evening. Some ladies from work and I are going to have a Webex get together after work and sip bevies and have some snacks while we have a gab session.

I cut some pieces of patterned paper and lined them up on a piece of black cardstock. I added a thin strip of cardstock to add a small border between the two pieces. I heat embossed the sentiment, wine bottle and glasses. I added some foam tape to the sentiment panel to pop it up.

I added some colour to the bottle and glasses then applied a coat of Glossy accents. The bottle also has a layer of foam tape behind it.

I finished the card with some black gems.

Supplies: White and black cardstock, Designer Paper - Wild Rose Studio, Newton's Nook - Wine a little stamps and dies, gems.

Cheers,
Nina

Tea for Two

It feels a little like the movie Groundhog Day, I have to admit I have a good schedule in place. I set the alarm as I would if I was leaving the house for work. I do all my ablutions and such, my work attire has adjusted a little, and I admit I love the legging and sweatshirts. The commute is the absolute worst (insert eye roll here).

My workdays are full and busy.

My mealtime stays the same, and I have been very good at not snacking. I have started to use timers for tasks and making sure I stand and move around a little during the day and Siri, and I are best buds now. The one thing I will admit to loving with social distancing is that just about every night, I am getting time in the craft room.

Today's card stays on point with the beverages theme with Tea for Two. This card was two days in the making. I made panels with patterned paper then tried to match a teapot to it, but it just was not working, so finally, I ditched the panels, they can be used at a later day for another card. Then out went the teapot.

Insert orange gingham and pretty patterned paper, and the creative process started to move along again. The ribbon and button came next, then the spoon and the sentiment not far behind. To finish the card, I fussy cut the tea bag and tied it into the ribbon with some silver twine. The sentiment is popped up with foam tape. The spoon heat embossed in silver.

The card is brighter in real life, I am not sure why the image came out a little darker.

Thanks for stopping by,

Nina

Whiskey Birthday

Oh, I had some fun with the card for today's post. I had the stamp picked out but I was struggling to figure out how to use it.

I then thought of the card I had done years ago when I used tea to stain some watercolour paper. I was not about to do that again but smooching with Distress Ink will get me to the same place a little easier and with more control.

I created the panels from patterned paper, then added a layer of brown cardstock. I created the smooshed backgrounds for the image and sentiments and then let them dry.

I stamped the sentiment and the whiskey image and then layered them with brown cardstock. The image is popped up with foam tape.

Supplies: Cream and brown cardstock, Designer Paper - Recollections, Hero Arts Many Everyday Messages, Couture Creations - Whiskey.

Cheers,Nina