CAS Birthday - MFT Birthday Project Challenge

Hello friends!  For this month's Birthday Project Challenge, it's all about "Clean and Simple" (CAS) Birthday Cards.  I will be honest, CAS cards do not come easily to me.  I tend to overthink my design and (as you may have noticed) tend to gravitate toward lots of color and dimension.  That being said, I LOVE CAS cards.  I do try to make them from time to time, and I was excited to try this style for this month's Birthday Project Challenge.

I went with a simple but fun design for my card today, leaving a lot of white space and a very simple sentiment.  For my stitched background, I used some White Card Stock and Die-namics Blueprints 27.  This is my absolute favorite Blueprints Set offered by MFT.  I love the stitching and the scalloped edge is just gorgeous!

For my ink-blended background squares, I simply used the negatives from my diecut panel and blended them with Distress Oxide Inks.  For the blue, I used Tumbled Glass and Salty Ocean; Green: Twisted Citron and Mowed Lawn; Yellow: Squeezed Lemonade and Mustard Seed.

I used the adorable BB Bitty Bears Stamp Set for my images.  I stamped them with Copic friendly Black Ink onto Smooth White Card Stock, colored them with Copic Sketch Markers (0, C00, C0, C2, C4) and used their coordinating dies to cut them out.

For more inspiration, make sure to head on over to the MFT Challenge & Inspiration Blog to see what the rest of the participating DT Members have come up with.

I challenge you to come and play along with us!  For every entry, you have the chance to win a $50 MFT Gift Voucher!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  If you liked this card and want some more crafty inspiration, don't forget to check out my INSTAGRAM feed!

Wishing you all a wonderful day and happy card making!

♥ Rachel

We Were Meant To Bee Friends - MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge 398

Hello everyone!  The latest Wednesday Sketch Challenge from My Favorite Things has just begun!  As always, I encourage you to give the Sketch Challenge a try each week because it's great practice and helps to really stretch your creativity out of your comfort zones.

For my take on the sketch this week, I went with a honeycomb-style card.  I used the cute little bees from the Meant to Bee Stamp Set and placed them in various positions around the card.  To start my card, I first heat embossed a 4.25" x 5.5" white panel with the Honeycomb Background Die using Clear Embossing Powder.  I then lightly blended a portion of this embossed panel with some yellow Distress Oxide Inks (Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed and Fossilized Amber).

After adding a strip of Kraft Card Stock (stamped with my sentiment), I then diecut this panel twice with the Circle STAX Die-namics.  I glued some clear acetate behind these circular windows and used some 3D Foam Adhesive Tape on the back of this panel to create my shaker portion.  For my shaker embellishment, I added some Sparkling Crystals and some Metallic Gold Jewels by Pretty Pink Posh.

For some added contrast, I also adhered some scalloped circular frames around each window by diecutting a piece of Hot Fudge Prestige Card Stock with the Stitched Circle Scalloped-Edge Frames Die-namics.  Lastly, I stamped my bees with Copic friendly Black Ink onto some smooth white card stock, colored them with Copics and used the coordinating dies to cut them out.  I then attached my bees with some 3D Foam Squares for some added dimension.

Here's a look at this week's Sketch Challenge layout.  What will you create?  The sky's the limit!  Make sure to stop by the MFT Challenge & Inspiration Blog for more inspiration from the rest of the team!  And, don't forget that for every time you enter, you have the chance to be the random winner of a $50 MFT Gift Voucher!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  If you liked this card and want some more crafty inspiration, don't forget to check out my INSTAGRAM feed!

Wishing you all a wonderful day and happy card making!

♥ Rachel

Frightfully Sweet Halloween - MFT & Friends

Hello crafty friends!  It's time for the latest MFT & Friends!  This is where the MFT Design Team and a number of Guest Designers are challenged to look at the latest release with a fresh set of eyes and come up with more crafty inspiration!

For my card today, I used the BB Frightfully Sweet Set and created a fun but spooky background scene to go with my images.

To start, I first diecut a piece of masking paper using the largest circle die from the Circle STAX Die-namics Set 1.  I then placed this circle on the lower center of a 5.75' x 4.5" piece of Smooth White Card Stock.  I then created my night sky background by blending some Distress Inks (Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans Chipped Sapphire and Black Soot) around this circle.  Lastly, I spritzed this lightly with water, blotted with a paper towel and then splattered some white paint on top to resemble stars.

Once this panel was dry, I then blended my grass on top with the Grass Stencil and some Black Soot Distress Ink.

I love how easy it is to use this stencil.  It's absolutely perfect for adding layers without adding too much dimension.

Using my Cool Gray Copics and a Colorless Blender, (0, C00, C0, C2, C4, C5), I then added some craters and texture to my moon.  I then trimmed my panel down the standard A2 card base size of 4.25" x 5.5".

I stamped all of my images with Copic friendly Black Ink onto smooth white card stock, colored with Copic Sketch Markers and then used the coordinating dies to cut them out.

Lastly, I heat embossed my sentiment with White Detail Embossing Powder and added my images with some 3D Foam Adhesive Squares.

Make sure you stop by the MFT Blog to see the amazing designs created by the rest of the Design Team and Guest Designers!
 
Thanks so much for stopping by!  If you liked this card and want some more crafty inspiration, don't forget to check out my INSTAGRAM feed!

Wishing you all a wonderful day and happy card making!

♥ Rachel

Never Give Up Hope - Picket Fence Studios

Happy Friday everyone!  I'm back today to share another card using some amazing images from a new company called Picket Fence Studios.  They offer a great variety of stamps to choose from that should appeal to almost anybody!

For my project today, I used one of the whales from the A Dose of Vitamin Sea Set.  I absolutely love this set.  The whales look so happy and carefree.  I also love the sentiments that come with it.  I used the "Never Give Up Hope" sentiment today because I love how the whale is swimming against the current and paving his own path.

I also added some fish swimming in the opposite direction from both the I Am A Mermaid and  Schools of Fish Stamp Sets.

For my background, I blended some Distress Inks (Cracked Pistachio, Peacock Feathers, Chipped Sapphire and Black Soot) onto some smooth white card stock (I used Neenah Solar White 80lb) and then spritzed it lightly with some water.  After blotting this panel with a paper towel, I allowed it to dry and then heat embossed some coral and seaweed from the Schools of Fish Set and also the gorgeous On The Ocean Background Stamp Set.

All of my colored images were stamped with Copic friendly black ink onto smooth white card stock, colored with Copic Sketch Markers and cut out to be placed onto the card front.  Lastly, I stamped my sentiment with black ink onto a 4.25" x 5.5" white panel that I had diecut an oval window from.

I hope you enjoyed my card today!  I highly encourage you to check out this new company and their amazing designs!

Thanks so much for dropping by!  If you liked this card and want some more crafty inspiration, don't forget to check out my INSTAGRAM feed!

Wishing you all a lovely day!

♥ Rachel

Sending Puppy Kisses & Birthday Wishes - MFT Color Challenge 99

Hello friends!  It's time for a new Color Challenge from My Favorite Things!  I challenge you to join in on the fun over the next couple of weeks and post your creations!  Every time that you enter a project, you have a chance to win a $50 MFT Gift Voucher!

The colors this week are Latte, Cement Grey, Black Licorice and Persimmon.  You don't have to use the exact colors on your projects - just use colors inspired by the ones you see in the photo above.

For my card today, I combined some sweet pups from both the "Canine Companions" and "Puppy Kisses" Stamp Sets.  I stamped them onto some Neenah Solar White 110 lb Card Stock, colored them with Copics and used the coordinating dies to cut them out.

For my background, I blended some Cement Grey and Steel Grey Premium Dye Inks over the English Brick Wall Stencil onto some Smooth White Card Stock.  I used some Copics to quickly color in the ground and adhered my images with some 3D Foam Adhesive Squares.  Lastly, I mounted it all onto an A2 sized sheet of Persimmon Card Stock and added one small party hat from the BB Birthday Bears Set.

I hope you enjoyed my card today!  Don't forget to stop by the MFT Challenge & Inspiration Blog to for challenge details and more crafty inspiration from the rest of the team!

Thanks so much for dropping by!  If you liked this card and want some more crafty inspiration, don't forget to check out my INSTAGRAM feed!

Wishing you all a lovely day!

♥ Rachel

MFT - Just Add Color

Hello everyone!  For today's "Just Add Color" feature, I'd like to share a few stamp sets that I've colored from this new release and the colors that I've used.  I stamped all of my images with Copic friendly Black Ink onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb Card Stock and colored them with Copic Sketch Markers.

 The first set that I'd like to share is the newest Birdie Brown Stamp Set called "Frightfully Sweet".  I just love these cute little images!

Copic Colors Used:

• Pumpkin Baskets: Y15, YR04, YR07, E19
• Greens: G20, YG05, YKG17, YG67
• Oranges: Y15, YR04, YR07, E19
• Squirrel: E30, E31, E34, E25, E29
• Hedgehog Dark Portion: E34, E25, E29
• Hedgehog Light Portion: E40, E41, E43, E44
• White Tissue Paper: 0, C00, C2, C4, C5
• Purples: BV02, BV11, BV13, BV08
• Fox: YR00, YR31, YR65, YR68, E19
• Fox's Cape & Mask: C4, C5, C7, C10

The next set that I'd like to share with you is the gorgeous "Fluttering Friends" stamp set.

 Copic Colors Used:

• Greenery: G20, YG13, YG67
• Teals: BG10, BG11, BG13, BG18
• Beiges: E50, E21, E11, E04
• Yellows: Y13, Y15, E34
• Purples: BV000, BV00, BV01, BV04, BV08
• Butterfly Green: YG01, G20, YG17, YG67, G29
• Blues: B000, B01, B04, B06

And lastly, I'd like to share with you the colors that I used on the "Friendship Rocks" Set.

Copic Colors Used:

• Teal Dress: BG10, BG11, BG13, BG18
• Pink Tights: RV10, RV13, RV14, RV09
• Blonde Hair: E30, E31, E35
• Shoes & Microphones: W2, W4, W5, W8
• Yellow Dress: Y13, Y15, Y17, E34
• Hair (Girl with yellow dress): E39, E29, E49
• Green Dress: G20, YG13, YG17, YG67
• White Tights: 0, C00, C2, C4, C5
• Hair (Girl with green dress): E50, E08, E09, E29
• Skin: E50, E51, E21, E11, E04

I've said this before, but I'm no coloring expert.  I do, however, love to color and I hope that this information may help those of you out there who love to color too!

Don't forget to stop by the MFT Blog to see what the rest of the team has come up with!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  If you liked these sets and want some more crafty inspiration, don't forget to check out my INSTAGRAM feed!

Wishing you all a lovely day!

♥ Rachel

Party Animals Birthday Box Card - Mama Elephant

Hello everyone!  I am so excited to share a fun Birthday Box Card with you today, featuring the super adorable Party Animals Stamp Set from Mama Elephant.  This set is packed full of so many cute little images!

These little animals are ready to party and I love how much fun they look like they're having!  To start, I first created my box base from White Card Stock.  I didn't have the Mama Elephant 3D Pop Up Card, so I created my own from a sheet of white card stock, a scoring board, scissors, paper trimmer and adhesive.

I stamped all of my images with Copic friendly Black Ink onto some Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb Card Stock, colored with Copics and then used the coordinating dies to cut them out.  In addition to the Party Animals Set, I also used the fun "Party" balloon from the Celebration Balloons Set, the banner from the Sentiments From a Yeti Set and some extras from the Carnival Toppers Set.

For my blue background panels, I blended some Tumbled Glass and Salty Ocean Distress Oxide Inks onto smooth white card stock and splattered these panels with some opaque white paint for added interest.

For the grass panels, I blended some Twisted Citron and Mowed Lawn Distress Oxide Inks onto smooth white card stock prior to cutting.  I adhered everything to my box base with some strong adhesive and a few images with some 3D Foam Adhesive Squares.

I hope you've enjoyed my card today!  Not sure if I'll get this in in time, but I thought it would be fun to enter this card into the Mama Elephant Guest Design Call for their Anniversary Celebration Stampede Blog Hop!  They have so many amazing products and I would be honored to be one of the individuals chosen for this amazing opportunity.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  If you liked this card and want some more crafty inspiration, don't forget to check out my INSTAGRAM feed!

Wishing you all a lovely day!

♥ Rachel