Kool Kitty Musings

DCM - July Elemental Inspiration

Good morning!

Well, it's the first of a brand-new month, so time for another elemental inspiration challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers blog.

This month, Dawn has chosen the image:

Lots of beachy possibilities here, but I went a different route. ;)

I saw the gerbera daisy, the keyboard, and that lovely palette of colours and an idea formed!

It was time to get out the Daisy Days set and coordinating paper pack from The Greetery.

Paper: The Greetery - Print Shop: Daisy Days
Stamps: Memory Box - Best Life Typewriter Sentiments, The Greetery - Print Shop: Daisy Days
Dies: The Greetery - Print Shop: Daisy Days, The Greetery - Crimped Slimline

This Print Shop collection features a high-quality paper pack in 5 shades (one being a duck egg blue and another a rusty orange), you then use the stencils in the set to fill in the white space on the paper panel, add stamped details, and finish off with some dimensional die-cut flowers as I have done for the blue card or leave it at that.

Both of my cards feature a typewriter-style sentiment (inspired by the keyboard) on a crimped banner. I didn't feel anything else was needed, as the finished backgrounds are just lovely.

For the blue card, I skipped the stencil that colours in the daisies, leaving them white. Just using light grey ink for the stamped details on them really brought them to life.

For the rusty card, I used similar colour tones, but used blush pink for the flower stencil and white cardstock for the sentiment strip.

And that's it!

Make sure you check out the ideas from the rest of the design team here, and play along if you can!

Happy crafting!

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Memory Box - Best Life Typewriter Sentiments stamps (r) Shop at: MISC	The Greetery - Print Shop: Daisy Days stamps and stencils Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG	The Greetery - Print Shop: Daisy Days dies Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG	The Greetery - Crimped Slimline dies Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG
Altenew - Blush dye ink Shop at: MISC	Altenew - Limestone dye ink Shop at: MISC	Lawn Fawn - Artichoke ink pad Shop at: SHC (UK)	Lawn Fawn - Carrot ink pad Shop at: SHC (UK)
Lawn Fawn - Cilantro ink pad Shop at: SHC (UK)	Lawn Fawn - Noble Fir ink pad Shop at: SHC (UK)	Lawn Fawn - Pumpkin Spice ink pad Shop at: AZ (UK) | SHC (UK)	Lawn Fawn - Sage Leaf ink pad Shop at: SHC (UK)
Lawn Fawn - Sunflower ink pad Shop at: SHC (UK)	Pinkfresh Studio - Sweet Mustard ink pad Shop at: MISC | SBC	Versafine - Onyx Black ink pad Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	The Greetery - Print Shop: Daisy Days paper pack Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG
Bazzill Cardshoppe - Butter Mints Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH	Bazzill Cardshoppe - Marshmallow Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	Tombow - Mono-Multi liquid glue Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	Lawn Fawn - Stamp shammy cleaner Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC (UK)
MISTI stamping tool Shop at: EH | SBC	Craft blending brushes Shop at: AZ (UK)	Taylored Expressions - Blender Brushes Shop at: MISC	Waffle Flower - Mini Media Mat Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC (UK)
Sizzix - Big Shot machine Shop at: AZ (UK) | SBC	Thermoweb iCraft - Purple tape for die-cutting - 1 1/2" Shop at: AZ (UK) | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (maxi) Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (small) Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC

2022 Card Challenge - July Prompt

Hello!

Welcome to a brand-new prompt for the 2022 Card Challenge.

With this month's focus colour, we are really channelling the summer sunshine, or should that be trying to entice it out from behind the rain clouds?

Because the focus colour for July is: Yellow

And here is the prompt:

{Pinterest Pin}

 

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Sunshine - feature the word sunshine on your card. If, like me, you have a lot of stamp sets that are rainbow themed, it's more than likely there will be a sentiment somewhere that includes this word, so why not use it?
• The sun - alternatively, feature the sun as a die cut, as some clever ink blending for a beach or sunset scene, as rays of colour projected out from behind a sentiment (I'm thinking of the Pinkfresh Studios Sunburst die/stamp here).
• When life gives you lemons - feature them on a card. Such a popular design element in summer scrapbook collections and stamp/die sets. They can make a really striking background when combined with foliage, branches and blossoms.
• Speaking of lemons... In my neck of the woods, THE summer ice cream is a Lemon Top. A Mr Whippy ice cream with a swirl of bright yellow lemon sorbet on top. Most delicious. Ice cream cones would make a great card theme, especially paired with a sentiment like "Treat yourself".
• Swirls - the lollipop reminds me that I have a loopy swirl border die that still needs using. This would make a great background when cut out multiple times from yellow and stuck down over a contrasting shade like grey... Think of the loopy swirl on an old school telephone, have you got one of those knocking about in your stash of ephemera?
• Polaroid frame - or indeed any frame. Great for really showcasing your sentiment, or you could use lots of different little frames (even mini embroidery hoops) to create a sort of gallery scene featuring little flowers/foliage, etc.
• Wildflowers - speaking of flowers, do you have any stickers or embellishments that have the look of pressed flowers? Perhaps you have dies that can create realistic looking wildflowers like poppies, daisies, cow parsley, sunflowers, etc. You could create a very simple and clean design with just this element and a stamped sentiment on rustic cream cardstock. Or even tie a bunch of flowers with some rustic twine.
• Big blooms - as always, big blooms are still a big trend in scrapbook collections. In a pinch, the right paper can do much of the work for you.
• Retro stems - the mustard stem print reminds me of Sanderson surface prints and to some extent Orla Kiely designs, failing that stems rather than florals could create a great dimensional background, or be used to create a wreath.
• Mesh texture/grid print - the mesh in the last photo on the right reminds me that I have an embossing folder that would fit the bill, and also a red rubber background stamp with a grid print that could be a very subtle background with a bit of selective inking... Not to mention, I'm sure I have grid prints in my box of pattern papers that must be over a decade old now. I think Basic Grey sometimes included a bit of a "grid" print on some of their paper designs.
• By the book - need a card for a book lover? Why not create a shelf of "book spines" using strips of cardstock in different shades, heat embossed with sentiments in different fonts to mimic the book title on the spine. Or if you have any book-themed papers or die sets, it would be the perfect time to use them. Alternatively, you could look at this element from the perspective of a writer, so go old school with a typewriter or other items of stationery. You could even sign the back of your work with "From the craft desk of...".
• Numbers - if it's not numbers you're going to feature (for a 2022 grad), that 1970 t-shirt print in the image could be replicated in your card design by scoring double lines above and below a sentiment to create an embossed/debossed border.
• Beyond summer - if summer isn't your bag, and you are already thinking about cooler September and autumnal times, then there's no reason you can't go with mushrooms, toadstools, leaves, acorns, squash and other elements that work so well with a whole array of yellow tones.

As always, happy crafting!

Wishing you a lovely birthday

I can't believe this project has been sat in my drafts for a few weeks now!

Oooops...

Back in early June, I had time to play with the Daisy Days Print Shop bundle from The Greetery...

Stamps: The Greetery - PreText Sentiments, The Greetery - Print Shop: Daisy Days
Dies: The Greetery - Print Shop: Daisy Days, Honey Bee Stamps - Wood Frame Builder, The Greetery - Let's Have a Word: Birthday, The Greetery - PreText Banners

For a change, I used cream cardstock as the base for my stencilling. But neglected to use the same cream cardstock for the die-cut flowers, as you can see by the colour variation.

I also accidentally made the frame the wrong size, so made this a feature by adding a strip of gold mirror card at the bottom below the frame.

Not my best day in the craft room!

Everything was brought together by using gold card for the birthday sentiment, which was also cut a few times from white cardstock to create some dimension.

And there we have it, card complete. :)

Now I just need to get going on some new card ideas.

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The Greetery - PreText Sentiments stamps Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG	The Greetery - Print Shop: Daisy Days stamps and stencils Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG	The Greetery - Print Shop: Daisy Days dies Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG	Honey Bee Stamps - Wood Frame Builder dies Shop at: EH | MISC | SBC
The Greetery - Let's Have a Word: Birthday die Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG	The Greetery - PreText Banners dies Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG	The Stamp Market - Blush Pink ink pad Shop at: MISC	The Stamp Market - Coastal ink pad Shop at: MISC
The Stamp Market - Curry ink pad Shop at: MISC	The Stamp Market - Golden ink pad Shop at: MISC	The Stamp Market - Leafy ink pad Shop at: MISC	The Stamp Market - Mossy ink pad Shop at: MISC
The Stamp Market - Pacific ink pad Shop at: MISC	The Stamp Market - Salmon ink pad Shop at: MISC	Versafine - Onyx Black ink pad Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	Bazzill Cardshoppe - Butter Mints Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH
Neenah Classic Crest 110 lb smooth Solar White cardstock Shop at: EH | MISC	Lawn Fawn - Gold metallic cardstock Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC (UK)	3M Scotch double-sided foam tape Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH	Lawn Fawn - Stamp shammy cleaner Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC (UK)
MISTI stamping tool Shop at: EH | SBC	Sizzix - Big Shot machine Shop at: AZ (UK) | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (maxi) Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (small) Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC

DCM - Midsummer

Morning!

This week over on the Daring Cardmakers blog, Jenny is challenging us to make a card inspired by Midsummer.

For my take on midsummer I went with wildflowers and lush greenery, against an azure sky (not that you can see the colour variations and sparkle very well in the photo there)...

Stamps: The Greetery - Opposites Attract
Dies: The Greetery - Opposites Attract, The Greetery - Opposites Attract Script, Honey Bee Stamps - Wood Frame Builder, The Greetery - A Side of Greens, The Greetery - BotaniCuts Wildflower Mix
Other: Distress Oxides

I started out by die-cutting the Side of Greens and BotaniCuts Wildflower Mix dies from The Greetery out of Marshmallow Bazzill Cardshoppe cardstock, ready for painting with an array of ink refills from The Stamp Market's original release of Color Crush inks.

While all those elements were drying on some kitchen towel, I got on with ink blending the sky background, which is actually much more defined in real life, going from Tumbled Glass at the bottom, then Salvaged Patina to Mermaid Lagoon at the top.

I added some pearlescent watercolour paint splatter along with water droplets for some texture and interest, but it's not that obvious in the photo.

Next, I assembled the frame and added the Side of Greens borders to the inside of the frame, with a few leaves poking out and over the edge.

I then attached the frame to the card base and started adding in the flowers and later my stamped sentiment, so I could arrange the last few elements around it and add a few crystals for good measure.

The Nuvo Drops were a good idea at the time, but they soaked up the colour of the ink on the flowers and changed colour, unfortunately.

Oh well, will have to remember that for next time!

Make sure you check out the wonderful projects from the rest of the design team here, and play along if you can!

Happy crafting!

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The Greetery - Opposites Attract stamps Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG	The Greetery - Opposites Attract dies Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG	The Greetery - Opposites Attract Script dies Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG	Honey Bee Stamps - Wood Frame Builder dies Shop at: EH | MISC | SBC
The Greetery - A Side of Greens die Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG	The Greetery - BotaniCuts Wildflower Mix dies Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG	Distress Oxide ink pad - Mermaid Lagoon Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	Distress Oxide ink pad - Salvaged Patina Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC
Distress Oxide ink pad - Tumbled Glass Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	The Stamp Market - Blush Pink ink pad Shop at: MISC	The Stamp Market - Leafy ink pad Shop at: MISC	The Stamp Market - Melon Orange ink pad Shop at: MISC
The Stamp Market - Mossy ink pad Shop at: MISC	The Stamp Market - Party Pink ink pad Shop at: MISC	The Stamp Market - Sea Glass ink pad Shop at: MISC	Versafine - Onyx Black ink pad Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC
Bazzill Cardshoppe - Marshmallow Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	Kuretake Gansai Tambi 36-pan watercolour set Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	Tonic Studios Nuvo Crystal Drops - Bubblegum Blush Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC | SHC (UK)	Tonic Studios Nuvo Crystal Drops - Party Pink Shop at: EH | SBC
Tombow - Mono-Multi liquid glue Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	Lawn Fawn - Stamp shammy cleaner Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC (UK)	MISTI stamping tool Shop at: EH | SBC	Craft blending brushes Shop at: AZ (UK)
Taylored Expressions - Blender Brushes Shop at: MISC	Tim Holtz - Distress Sprayer Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Stampers Anonymous Splat Box Shop at: AZ (UK) | SBC | SHC (UK)	Waffle Flower - Mini Media Mat Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC (UK)
Ranger - Artist brush set Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	Sizzix - Big Shot machine Shop at: AZ (UK) | SBC	Thermoweb iCraft - Purple tape for die-cutting - 1 1/2" Shop at: AZ (UK) | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (maxi) Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC
Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (small) Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC

DCM - Life's a Beach

Better late than never!

I was finally well enough this morning to get a photo of my card project for this week's Daring Cardmakers challenge. :)

Miri has challenged us to make a card inspired by the beach and seaside, so just in time for Father's Day I used a great set from Avery Elle that fit the bill perfectly:

Stamps: Avery Elle - Swell
Dies: Hero Arts - Infinity Nesting Circle, Honey Bee Stamps - Wood Frame Builder

I started out by heat embossing the Swell background stamp in white on navy cardstock.

I then created the life buoy with circle dies to showcase the Father's Day sentiment from the Swell set.

It was already looking quite nautical, but the Wood Frame builder dies from Honey Bee Stamps really add the perfect finishing touch, especially when inked with Walnut dye ink to really bring out that woodgrain look.

And there we are, one seaside-themed card complete. :)

Make sure you check out the wonderful projects from the rest of the design team here, and play along if you can!

Happy crafting!

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Avery Elle - Swell stamps Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC (UK)	Hero Arts - Infinity Nesting Circle dies Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC (UK)	Honey Bee Stamps - Wood Frame Builder dies Shop at: EH | MISC | SBC	Altenew - Desert Night dye ink Shop at: MISC
Lawn Fawn - Walnut ink pad Shop at: AZ (UK) | SBC | SHC (UK)	Versafine - Onyx Black ink pad Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	Altenew - Cool Summer Night ink cube set Shop at: MISC | SHC (UK)	Bazzill Cardshoppe - Marshmallow Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC
Concord & 9th - Assorted cardstock pack Shop at: EH | MISC | SHC (UK)	The Stamp Market - Lipstick Red cardstock Shop at: MISC	Hero Arts - White embossing powder Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC | SHC (UK)	Tombow - Mono-Multi liquid glue Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC
EK Success powder tool Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	Lawn Fawn - Stamp shammy cleaner Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC (UK)	MISTI stamping tool Shop at: EH | SBC	Craft blending brushes Shop at: AZ (UK)
Taylored Expressions - Blender Brushes Shop at: MISC	Waffle Flower - Mini Media Mat Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC (UK)	Sizzix - Big Shot machine Shop at: AZ (UK) | SBC	Thermoweb iCraft - Purple tape for die-cutting - 1 1/2" Shop at: AZ (UK) | SBC
Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (maxi) Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (small) Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC

A note to say hello

Well, I have unfortunately succumbed to the dratted summer flu. Thankfully my recent Covid test was negative, but ugh, I hate summer head colds and feeling unwell this time of year. Apparently we had a mini heatwave the other day, but I couldn't tell it was any hotter than usual. Which is most unlike me, as I don't do well with heat.

Anyway, I had this project prepped a while ago, so will share it while I'm down with the flu and unable to photograph my current project for this week's Daring Cardmakers challenge.

Stamps: The Greetery - Opposites Attract, The Greetery - Print Shop: Garden Goodness, The Greetery - Written in Ribbons
Dies: The Greetery - Opposites Attract Script, The Greetery - Written in Ribbons

I was inspired by one of the projects showcased in the video for The Greetery's Garden Goodness print shop set, which was all in blue tones. Really lovely!

But I wanted to incorporate some contrasting fiery tones for this card - I will definitely try my hand at a monochromatic project with this set in future, though. :)

All the inks I've used are from The Stamp Market, and I even stuck to the darker blue tones for the sentiments.

And that's it - lots of inky goodness, but no other flashy elements. I really like how this one turned out. :)

Until next time, happy crafting!

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The Greetery - Opposites Attract stamps Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG	The Greetery - Print Shop: Garden Goodness stamps and stencils Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG	The Greetery - Written in Ribbons stamps Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG	The Greetery - Opposites Attract Script dies Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG
The Greetery - Written in Ribbons dies Shop at: SHC (UK) | TG	The Stamp Market - Breeze ink pad Shop at: MISC	The Stamp Market - Cherry Kisses ink pad Shop at: MISC	The Stamp Market - Cobalt ink pad Shop at: MISC
The Stamp Market - Golden ink pad Shop at: MISC	The Stamp Market - Melon Orange ink pad Shop at: MISC	The Stamp Market - Navy ink pad Shop at: MISC	The Stamp Market - Ocean ink pad Shop at: MISC
The Stamp Market - Sunshine ink pad Shop at: MISC	Neenah Classic Crest 110 lb smooth Solar White cardstock Shop at: EH | MISC	3M Scotch double-sided foam tape Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH	Lawn Fawn - Stamp shammy cleaner Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC (UK)
MISTI stamping tool Shop at: EH | SBC	Sizzix - Big Shot machine Shop at: AZ (UK) | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (maxi) Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (small) Shop at: AZ (UK) | EH | SBC