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March 31, 2021

Hey Birthday Chick or Ornate Style???

It took me awhile to wrap my head around this week's color challenge over at Splitcoaststampers ... and a Paper Craft Crew sketch challenge. Dessert is supposed to be anything spring. As you can see I used a little different idea for "spring"! Even though I struggled in the beginning, in the end in the end I created 4 cards.

Here are the colors...

Pool Party

Pacific Point

Old Olive

...and the card I brought to the challenge:

As I've blogged before, these chickens look good in any color and I couldn't resist the "spring chicken" line!
I added depth and detail to my coloring with Old Olive and Pacific Point watercolor pencils after first putting down a layer of Pool Party and Light Old Olive Blends. Mixing them let me get the challenge colors in all of the coloring. It's also easier to get deep colors on the edges without bleeding by using the pencils.
Polka Dot DSP - 6x6" subtles - keep a light hearted spring like theme going. To be honest this piece has been cut with a Stitched Rectangle Die for another sketch and then set aside. It worked perfectly here and let me stay in my CAS comfort zone.

Here is a second "spring chicken" card that didn't quite seem to have enough Old Olive to flesh out the challenge:

This makes use of the Pinewood Planks Embossing Folder which will retire at the end of next month. Tap your Crumb Cake ink pad on the inside of the folder before doing the embossing to get the added definition.
The stitched circle is made with my well loved Stitched Shapes Dies, also retiring. The scalloped circle, part of the Layering Circles Dies will stick around for the next catalog. Whew!

Now, for this challenge it is totally acceptable to add colors from Stampin' Up!'s Neutral color family - but there are no yellows so once I had my color challenge card I moved on just a bit and added Daffodil Delight to the challenge colors when I moved on to the Paper Craft Crew Sketch Challenge:

Here is the Paper Craft Crew #420 sketch challenge:

You can see I tried to get quite a ways out of the box for the sketch challenge. You probably know I'm a lover of white space and I often don't do well with symmetry. So....

I used the Whimsy Dies that basically just cut designs into you cardstock instead of cutting out shapes. I used two sizes, breaking another symmetry rule.
I wasn't sure how the little rectangle element would work in that spot so I decided to anchor it with the Ornate Style bouquet stamped into the corner. You will want to do the stamping and coloring prior to adding the die cut "stitches".
This is another card where I wanted just the skinniest of borders so I cut the Pacific Point layer just 1/16" larger than my main layer which was 4" x 5.25".
"I'm here for you is from Itty Bitty Greetings. Both stamp sets are requiring.

Finally, here is a card that I started for the Color challenge on Monday but just couldn't seem to pull it all together until I had worked through all of the others.

Lots of retiring goodies here: Ornate Garden Specialty Paper which was colored for the border
Ornate Border Dies was used for the lacy Pacific Point edge.
So Sentimental is the source of the beautiful wedding card greeting.
The Ornate Style Bouquet is colored much the same as the previous card except this one was cut out and attached to the corner. I did use the part that were trimmed off on the inside of the card.

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I so appreciate that you took the time as you visit my blog today. Let me know what you think and come back again soon! Feel free to ask questions if something isn't clear.

Check out the Stampin' Up! catalogs link at the top of my blog. If you don't have regular Stampin' Up Demonstrator and would like hard copies of any of our current catalogs please feel free to email me at [email protected]

I would love to help you with your stamping journey and have you shop with me! You can click on "Shop with Chris Smith" at the top of my blog.

If you place a minimum $50 (US) order using the March host code, JZNC7WQE, I will send you a free gift. US customers only. Customers placing an order smaller than $50 will still receive my thank you card.

If you place a $150 or greater order please don't use the hostess code. You will still receive the gifts but you will also get your own hostess benefits.

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Product List

Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper

Posted at 06:30 AM in Hey Birthday Chick, Ornate Garden Suite, So Sentimental | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 27, 2021

March Paper Pumpkin Idea Blog Hop

It's a Paper Pumpkin Saturday! Have you received yours? The March Paper Pumpkin is a versatile outdoor scene set that comes with a free set of stencils.

I have a few ideas to share that you can use even if you have made all of the card, plus a handy idea to make using the stencils easier. Then I'll send you on your way to visit some other blogs that are sharing March Paper Pumpkin ideas. Lastly, I'll share a little video from Stampin' Up! so you can see a little more about what this kit offered. While it's too late to order this Paper Pumpkin you have until April 10th to order next month's kit. I hope whether you have this month's kit or not you will find some ideas that you can use.

I have several friends who are new to stamping so I wanted to share some ideas that don't require too many other supplies. Since some of them also have the February kit I did use some of those supplies, along with a few other basic options.

I had fun playing with the stencils on this card! Since my friends are using ink spots I though a bit about how those work with stencils. I added a Basic White card base, along with a leftover envelope from the February kit.
First of all you receive a sponge with your kit this month. I cut mine into 1/6's but you might like to try 1/4's or 1/5's. Since these stencils aren't to large I thought smaller might work a little better.
It might be easy to get ink on your fingers as you try to hold the small ink spot still as you ink your sponge. I you have a silicone sheet or some other non-slip surface in your kitchen it may help to put your little ink spots on that. Another thing you can do if you haven't opened up your spot yet is to only remove the label on one side so that you have kind of a hinge. You can hold it open in such a way that keeps the ink off your fingers.
I used Mossy Meadow and Calypso Coral since these were the ink spots in the February and March Paper Pumpkin kits.

I added Some Crumb Cake cardstock and a Pretty Peacock ink to make this simple yet classic card. You have 4 extra laser cut Tree scenes in you kit and this is about the easiest thing you can do with them.

This card makes use of another one of the extra laser cut trees. I just sponged over the stars stencil with White Craft ink and then embossed with white embossing powder.
The greeting, which I think is intended to go with the birthday greeting but with the stars and trees I think it would work for a Nwe Year's card. I stamped it on a scrap strip of Basic White and cut a little flag into the left edge.

It's time to move on to the next blog. Just a reminder that you are now at Chris Smith's blog and will want to move on to Jennifer Sharron's blog.

Here is the video to show you more about this Paper Pumpkin kit, Here's To You:

Would you like to get in on the surprise of Paper Pumpkin? The theme is "cool treats" and your kit will involve some kind of treat packaging.You have until April 10th to order your own Paper Pumpkin for next month.

Next month I so appreciate that you took the time as you visit my blog today. Let me know what you think and come back again soon! Feel free to ask questions if something isn't clear.

I would love to help you with your stamping journey and have you shop with me! You can click on "Shop with Chris Smith" at the top of my blog.

If you place a $150 or greater order please don't use the hostess code. You will still receive the gifts but you will also get your own hostess benefits.

SHOPPING LINKS

Product List

Uninked Stampin’ Craft Pad & Whisper White Refill

Posted at 11:00 AM in Paper Pumpkin | Permalink | Comments (4)

March 22, 2021

Watery Blues

I'm joining in on a watery blues color challenge today:

This challenge is with the:

...and these are our colors and inspiration!

When I was first thinking about this challenge I thought I might play with some of my lighthouse stamps but then I decided to get a little more adventurous and break out a new set, Circle Celebration. Whether they are under the sea miniature sea life of microscopic waterdroplets...I'll let you decide.

There is nothing fancy about the stamping, just pure playfulness as I started getting to know this versatile set. I used a couple of blended scraps about to be discarded do add a little interest to my border. I think that now that I'm getting to know this set it will make wonderful abstract designs all on it's own PLUS be a source of accents while I'm using other stamps. I'm looking forward to mixing it up with some more flowers!
This card only uses Basic White cardstock for paper and the challenge colors in ink pads - as far as ink and paper go.
The greeting is from the So Sentimental Bundle: wonderful messages with great stitched dies.
The twine is from the Flowers for Every Season Ribbon Combo. I looped it through a small hole punched into the side of the die cut with Detailed Trio Punch.

Now it's time to check out the rest of the blog hop! You are at Chris Smith's blog and the next stamper on the hop is Susan Elise Schultz.

I so appreciate that you took the time as you visit my blog today. Let me know what you think and come back again soon! Feel free to ask questions if something isn't clear.

I would love to help you with your stamping journey and have you shop with me! You can click on "Shop with Chris Smith" at the top of my blog.

If you place a $150 or greater order please don't use the hostess code. You will still receive the gifts but you will also get your own hostess benefits.

SHOPPING LINKS

Product List

Circle Celebration Photopolymer Stamp Set

So Sentimental Cling Stamp Set (English)

Flowers For Every Season Ribbon Combo Pack

Posted at 10:58 AM in Circle Celebration | Permalink | Comments (10)

March 18, 2021

Easter Ideas Blog Hop

Today's post is part of an Easter Blog Hop:

I'm featuring a pair of stamp sets, Gift of Hope and Butterfly Gala, today. I've featured them together in the past and now I'm going to show them with some rather simple supplies, yet feature three variations.

All three of these cards use the same cardstock measurements:
8.5" x 5.5" Crumb Cake folded into a 4.25" x 5.5 card base.
3 5/8" x 4 7/8" Crumb Cake Layer for embossing
3 3/4" x 5" Basic White cardstock for layering.
I suggest a 4" x 5 1/4" layer for the inside greeting.
Crumb Cake and White is a very classic combination. Though you can certainly add you coloring medium of choice, white embossing does well all on it's own!
I stamped with White Craft before embossing with white emboss powder. You could also use Versamark but I especially like to use white when I am stamping more than one image since it is easier to see. Sometimes I also think I get a crisper image when I use craft.
I think you could use several of Stampin' Up!s butterfly stamp sets for these cards. I really like the scale and fine detail of Butterfly Gala with this springlike wreath.

I think this is my favorite Easter card layout because it features "He lives" as the focal point.

I think this version would work well for a sympathy OR greeting of encouragement.

This is such a versatile design. I think it could work for Easter, Confirmation or Sympathy, depending on what you use for your inside greeting.

All of these could be somewhat mass produced for a great supply of cards to have on hand. Just add your Stamparatus!

Now it's time to check out some more wonderful ideas. You are at Chris Smith's blog and if you are following in order you move along to see what Susan Elise Schultz has prepared for us.

I so appreciate that you took the time as you visit my blog today. Let me know what you think and come back again soon! Feel free to ask questions if something isn't clear.

I would love to help you with your stamping journey and have you shop with me! You can click on "Shop with Chris Smith" at the top of my blog.

If you place a $150 or greater order please don't use the hostess code. You will still receive the gifts but you will also get your own hostess benefits.

SHOPPING LINKS

Posted at 10:59 AM in Butterfly Gala, Gift of Hope | Permalink | Comments (6)

March 13, 2021

Arrange a Wreath for Spring

Spring Fever is in full swing (up here in the northern hemisphere, anyway) and I have a project and a hop for you to enjoy. Angie has everyone sharing Easter or spring projects today and I think it will be great fun to see what everyone created along the hop.

Here is what my project looked like earlier this morning:

I had my color scheme and expected to come up with a number of mostly CAS cards with the Arrange a Wreath Bundle. Then I pulled out a pack of mini pizza boxes and decided to see where it would lead me...

...not a card and it doesn't actually look as simple as it truly is.

I decided to test out my theory that the suspender bow that I introduced this past Tuesday could work on a box. If it did it means that you could put it back on the box after devouring the treats and no one would be any wiser!
So the first thing you do is tie the ribbon around the box. Pool Party Sheer Ribbon would be perfect here since I already had Pool Party die cuts and the wreath would show through it.
Fold a 32" piece of ribbon in half and place the fold on your box wrapping the rest of the ribbon around the box going away from you.
Bringing the ends around the box thread them through the fold and tie a knot. This knot is what will keep your ribbon tied after you've opened the box
Then tie a bow and spread the "suspenders" so that the ribbon is taut. Now test your ribbon by lifting the folded part of the ribbon over your bow to release it from the box. Did it work? Leave it off while you decorate your box.
I glued 3 layers of die cut wreaths to my box colored by an assortment of die cut Easter eggs.
My next puzzle was to figure out the recipient would know how to get the bow off of the box. I made an Easter Tag and hand printed the words "pull me!" on the back of the tag. First I tried tying the tag around the bow but it really seemed to work better tied to the fold of the ribbon. I still need to make a video of the initial tying of the ribbon but here is a short clip of opening the box.

It is an absolutely gorgeous, though not quite Spring, Saturday here in Minnesota so I'm going to procrastinate making the CAS cards and get outside. Tomorrow it might snow so I can make cards then. Enjoy the hop!

Now it's time for you to go and check out JoAnn Pollack's blog. I'm sure you will love it!

Here are the other participants:

Angie McKenzie ● Mikaela Titheridge ● Alejandra Gomez

Leonie Stuart ● Danielle Kassing ● Annette Ball

Vicki Milyard ● Aurélie Fabre ● Kristie Wilson

Mo Rootes ● Gez Carpenter ● Terry Hamilton

Deb Macdowell ● Narelle Fasulo ● Karen Henderson

Jill Chapman ● Melissa Faust ● Susan Webster

Anne Marie Hile ● Chris Smith ● JoAnn Pollock

Cheryl Hamilton ● Tricia Butts ● Teri West

Susan Simpson ● Rochelle Laird-Smith ● Lisa Mackey

Libby Fens ● Ann Krucek ● Jan Musselman

Shel Anderson ● Sue Allen ● Jo Blackman

I so appreciate that you took the time as you visit my blog today. Let me know what you think and come back again soon! Feel free to ask questions if something isn't clear.

I would love to help you with your stamping journey and have you shop with me! You can click on "Shop with Chris Smith" at the top of my blog.

If you place a $150 or greater order please don't use the hostess code. You will still receive the gifts but you will also get your own hostess benefits.

SHOPPING LINKS

Product List

Posted at 03:57 PM in Arrange a Wreath | Permalink | Comments (8)

March 10, 2021

Peony Garden Goes Around the World on Wednesday

Today I'm doing double duty with a sketch challenge for the Paper Craft Crew and our monthly Around the World on Wednesday Blog Hop.

The blog hop theme for this talented group is 3D projects so I'm sure that you are going to see a lot of inspiring variety. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

This reinforced box is 6 1/2" wide, 3" deep and 4 1/2" tall. I use them to organize projects when I'm trying to clear my desk or even just to gather elements of a collection or a palette that I'm putting together for a project. It holds 6"x6" DSP, coordinating cardstock, a stamp set or two and their dies, embellishments, etc.( I cut all of the DSP I use for designing into 6x6" squares.) I use Stampin' Up!'s smaller cello bags to gather smaller die cuts before adding them to the box. I also use some of the tins that Stampin' Up offered several years ago during Sale-a-Bration but there are never enough. These are sturdy enough to move around and bring your work to a sunny table or out to your deck. Add a little ribbon and they just plain look pretty on your desk!

The main trick is to reinforce each side with additional cardstock on the inside and a decorative embossed layer on the outside. I used the Parisian Flourish Embossing folder on this box. You will need to cut 2 additional layers of 4 1/2: x 6 1/2" to reinforce the inside of the front and back, along with 2 3" x 4 1/2" layers for the sides. The bottom will already have two layers, though depending on your use you may wish to add a 3" x 6 1/2" additional layer. This is something you can do with any box.
I've tried shorter and taller boxes for this and 4 1/2" seems perfect for holding the 6" square paper yet still letting you see what you have. I have adjusted the sizes and added covers in the past to accommodate larger cards.
You will notice on the PDF available below that you use two 7 1/2" x 11 pieces of cardstock that are prepared almost identically. The only difference is one will have both of the bottom tabs cut off so that you can layer one bottom on top of the other. You can save these tabs and use them to add additional reinforcement on the top of he sides.
Please note that you will trim off 3/4" off of each side tab leaving a 1 1/2" tab. When put together the two tabs meet to form a 3" side without any lumpy overlaps. Since you are lining these, the "seam" is covered up.
I like to use Multipurpose Liquid glue because it gives me just a little more flexibility in getting the position just so. I do prefer the Stampin' Seal + when adding embossed layers because the edges will appear more finished.
Another thing I like about these is that they fit on my shelves perfectly.
Download the PDF here: Download Box Diagram 1_2-1
Someday I should get ambitious and do a video on this...

Since I've got this box organized with the Peony Garden Collection, I used it to put together this week's Paper Craft Crew card:

Don't you just love these gentle blooms? And the greeting font is perfect! This bundle has been ignored too much over the holidays and winter.
Colors are just like yesterday's post Plus Gray Granite!

It won't be long until demonstrators will get a sneak peek at the next annual catalog. I'm hopeful that these stamps and dies will carry over but it is unusual to see all the accessories of a suite make it to another catalog. By having them all out in my "box" they will hopefully see more playtime soon!

Here is this week's sketch - it is just perfect for the Peony Garden Collection!

Now it's time to move along to Anne Marie Hile's blog. I know you will love what you see:

BLOG HOP ROLL CALL

Jan Clothier - NZ

Leonie Stuart - AU

Rochelle Laird-Smith - AU

Cheryll Miller - AU

Melissa Gifford - AU

Danielle Kassing - NL

Satomi Wellard

Ximena Morales - DE

Aurélie Fabre - FR

Mikaela Titheridge - UK

Chris Smith - US - You Are Here!

Anne Marie Hile - US

Brenda Nelson - CA

Tricia Butts - US

Elaine de Montmorency - CA

Sharon Hashimoto Burkert - US

Teri West - US

Cheryl Hamilton - US

I so appreciate that you took the time as you visit my blog today. Let me know what you think and come back again soon! Feel free to ask questions if something isn't clear.

I would love to help you with your stamping journey and have you shop with me! You can click on "Shop with Chris Smith" at the top of my blog.

If you place a $150 or greater order please don't use the hostess code. You will still receive the gifts but you will also get your own hostess benefits.

SHOPPING LINKS

Product List

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

Posted at 05:00 AM in Peony Garden, Prized Peony | Permalink | Comments (4)

March 09, 2021

Forever Blossoms for Spring

Today I'm going to share some winter into spring colors AND give you a little more information on a ribbon technique that I introduced a few weeks ago. Then I get to send you on your way to check out whole bunch of other ribbon ideas because that is the theme for this month's:

I originally saw some fabrics with these colors together and was intrigued. So... I used them as the color challenge that I am hosting over at Splitcoaststampers this week.

They impressed me as seasonal colors that we see in nature as the Minnesota winter moves towards spring. We've been fortunate to have great weather to be getting outdoors this past week. While we are seeing hints of subtle greens as the snow disappears we still see crispy cinnamon colored scrub oak leaves on our hikes around area lakes. I really love the Cinnamon Cider color and loved the chance to use it for a spring look. Anyway, on to my first card:

I started my card by stamping the large blossom branch several times in Cinnamon Cider ink: once to be colored and die cut and more as kind of a background toile look.
As I played with these pieces I decided to color just the background of the toile piece - in Soft Sea Foam - to use as a border.
The main blossom branch includes all the challenge colors though just a bit of Mossy Meadow in the shadows on my leaves. I added a Soft Sea Foam background with my blending brush before embossing that layer with my beloved Tasteful Textile embossing folder. I confess I wasn't planning on using this but I got a little "bend" as I was experimenting with the layout and that folder covered it right up!
What do you think of my "Suspender" bow? Though I've used this several times over the years I've never had a name for it. I went to get my husband's opinion for a name and before I could mention the name I already had in mind he said "Hey, it looks like suspenders." No more discussion needed.
Suspender Bow technique:
Fold a large (34"-36") piece of ribbon or twine in half.
Holding the fold about 1 1/4" from the bottom of of your layers, wrap the rest around the card and bring it up around the bottom.
Loop the ends through the fold and tie it into a knot.
Turn your card upside down (so that your bow appears near the top instead of the bottom) and then tie a bow. Somehow this trick helps to get the ends on the bottom.
Turn your card back to the original position and adjust the "suspenders" so that they are taut and you like they way they appear on your card.
The bow usually holds firm on its own though you can put a mini glue dot under the bow to make it more secure.
As you can see below you can release the suspenders for repositioning or adjusting other elements of your design, if you wish. The bow tied over the original know will keep its shape.

Here are some photos if you would like some visual hints:

If you fasten down the bow, this suspender bow is great to use on a card that needs a closure so it's a good alternative to a belly band. Here is an example of how I've used it on a gate fold card.

This card uses the same colors as the first card with the Forever Fern Bundle.
Note the little ladybug accent!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you found something to use in your own stamping projects!

Now it's time to move on to see what Melissa Faust has in store for us.

BLOG HOP ROLL CALL:

I so appreciate that you took the time as you visit my blog today. Let me know what you think and come back again soon! Feel free to ask questions if something isn't clear.

I would love to help you with your stamping journey and have you shop with me! You can click on "Shop with Chris Smith" at the top of my blog.

If you place a $150 or greater order please don't use the hostess code. You will still receive the gifts but you will also get your own hostess benefits.

SHOPPING LINKS

Product List

Forever Blossoms Cling Stamp Set (English)

Cinnamon Cider Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

Soft Sea Foam Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

Petal Pink 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Organdy Striped Ribbon

Cinnamon Cider 2020–2022 In Color Ribbon

Posted at 10:59 AM in Forever Blossoms, Forever Fern | Permalink | Comments (10)

March 05, 2021

Butterfly Brilliance

Happy Friday!! Butterfly Brilliance is on the agenda:

Today I'm taking part in a blog hop about the beautiful advance release of the Butterfly Brilliance Bundle and the limited release Butterfly Bouquet Collection.

Before I cut into the beautiful limited release Butterfly Bijou designer series paper I took just the bundle out for a spin. Getting so many butterflies from one pass through the Stampin Cut & Emboss allows so many creative possibilities.

The butterflies are all together on one background sized stamp so using the Stamparatus is a sure way to make sure all of your butterflies get stamped perfectly.
I used Poppy Parade Blends to deepen the color near the body of the butterfly.
The vellum is optional here but I think it really adds a special touch. I added 1/2 inch beyond the left fold to attach it to the back of the card. Using Multi-purpose Liquid Glue I also attach the vellum to the card underneath the butterfly body and the greeting.
I've made over a dozen cards so far combining this bundle with the Happy Thoughts greeting stamp set. I embossed white on black for this dramatic congratulations card.

Here is another version of the same card featuring the Butterfly Bijou DSP:

Just substitute DSP for the stamped and die cut butterflies.

There are over 2 dozen participants in today's hop so so grab a cuppa and enjoy!

I'm putting the finishing touches on a tutorial that will show yI so appreciate that you took the time as you visit my blog today. Let me know what you think and come back again soon! Feel free to ask questions if something isn't clear.

I would love to help you with your stamping journey and have you shop with me! You can click on "Shop with Chris Smith" at the top of my blog.

If you place a $150 or greater order please don't use the hostess code. You will still receive the gifts but you will also get your own hostess benefits.

SHOPPING LINKS

Product List

Posted at 10:59 AM in Butterfly Brilliance, Happy Thoughts | Permalink | Comments (9)

March 03, 2021

Ornate Borders Meet the Butterfly Brilliance Bundle

I've got a couple of quick cards to post today, inspired by this week's sketch over at the Paper Craft Crew. One for the sketch and one for fun!

Here is the sketch:

...and this is the card I came up with:

I wanted to keep the contrast between the card base and my three columns low so I made them of the same Pool Party cardstock. The Columns are die cut with the Ornate Border Dies. The base is embossed with the Tasteful Textile Folder.
The butterfly is one of a stash I've made with the new Butterfly Brilliance Bundle. This one is clear embossed and watercolored.
The greeting is from Happy Thoughts, a great sentiment set to use with these butterflies.

This next card is an Easter card I redesigned from one of last year's cards, this time with a layered butterfly.

I layered the detail die cut in Pool Party over a butterfly cut from the Butterfly Bijou designer series paper that is only available this month.
The Artistry Blooms Sequins are adhesive backed - so easy to use!

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I so appreciate that you took the time as you visit my blog today. Let me know what you think and come back again soon! Feel free to ask questions if something isn't clear.

I would love to help you with your stamping journey and have you shop with me! You can click on "Shop with Chris Smith" at the top of my blog.

If you place a $150 or greater order please don't use the hostess code. You will still receive the gifts but you will also get your own hostess benefits.

SHOPPING LINKS

Posted at 06:00 AM in A Wish For Everything, Butterfly Brilliance, Happy Thoughts | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 01, 2021

Here Comes March with a Spring Colored Trio

I found this week's colors for the Splitcoaststamper's Color Challenge a bit challenging so I started early. I stamped some pieces to color while we sat down to watch a Saturday night movie. Each try proved disappointing. Well, this morning I sat down, determined to make these pieces work. And they turned out so well I still haven't decided which one to post on their site - and it's due in less than an hour...

COLORS:

DESSERT OPTION: Flowers

As I write this it is not yet live but you can find the challenge here.

Here are the cards I came up with:

Here is how I started solving the first problem:

The colored image wasn't doing much for me. I had first used the challenge colors and then gone back and added shading with the watercolor pencils (minus any water).
It always helps to add a border and stripes can help too so I thought I would pull these in with the challenge colors.

oh, and have I ever told you I love gingham ribbon?
I played a little with where to add the greeting, which comes from the Word Wishes/ A Wish for Everything duo.
Please indulge me as I play with some different photo taking and editing techniques...

Since I had much more of the stripe border I decided to my original idea of using the In Bloom Bundle - but I stuck mostly with the dies:

I made a quarter sheet of 1/4" cardstock stripes in the four challenge colors . This proved to be a great way to pull a couple of the cards together
To add a little more texture I added some of the die cut elements in 6"x6" Designer series papers in Just Jade (In Color 20-22) and Balmy Blue (Subtles).
The Tasteful Textiles Embossing Folder has really been a workhorse - it works with so many styles!
2020-2022 In Color Enamel Dots - in Just Jade - give added polish.

Finally, here is another that began with a mistake:

I got a BIG smudge in the middle of this colored garland/wreath after it was colored so I cut it out - while listening to the radio... And then I trimmed a little of the extra rubber off of the "He Lives" stamp that owned the smudge.
More Balmy Blue DSP.
Be Mine Stitched Die gives a subtle but effective scallop detail
Butterfly Gala - colored with Daffodil Delight.
Of course you can tie it up with a Polka Dot Tulle bow. I love the sheer look of these. This card would also look good with no bow if you find that easier to mail.

Would you like to see more? You can check out more of my gallery pages with the gallery link near the top of the right sidebar.

I so appreciate that you took the time as you visit my blog today. Let me know what you think and come back again soon! Feel free to ask questions if something isn't clear.

I would love to help you with your stamping journey and have you shop with me! You can click on "Shop with Chris Smith" at the top of my blog.

If you place a $150 or greater order please don't use the hostess code. You will still receive the gifts but you will also get your own hostess benefits.

SHOPPING LINKS

Product List