JAC-INKS CHALLENGE #5

You all know how I love a colour challenge, right?  Well, I've discovered another challenge site - Jac-Inks Papercraft Challenges, where new challenges are posted fortnightly by talented fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators here in Australia.

The colour challenge that is currently running at Jac-Inks is to use any combination of the current In Colours from Stampin' Up!  Here's the range of colours to choose from:

I decided to use Poppy Parade as my starting point, and consulted my trusty Color Coach, to see if I could decide on a 'different' colour combo than one I'd normally choose.  I've gone with the suggestion of Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz, and Baja Breeze (who would've thought to throw that colour in??!!). I was rather taken by this card I recently showed you, so have gone with the same watercolour technique, and same basic layout.  I have to say, I love these cards - think I need to make a 'series' of them!

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, En Francais, Sincere Salutations

Card: Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze, Watercolour Paper

Ink: Poppy Parade stampin' pad and marker, Pear Pizzazz stampin' pad and marker, Baja Breeze marker, Basic Black stampin' pad

Other: Scallop Edge punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Stampin' sponge, Basic Black brads, Mat Pack and paper piercer, water spritzer bottle, Color Spritzer tool

JUST ADD INK #61 (USING COLOR THROWDOWN #134 COLOURS)

Here are the colours in this week's challenge over at the Color Throwdown blog:

Unfortunately, I missed the deadline (darn these different time zones, and my inability to keep track! LOL). I have kept my card simple, as I plan to enter it in this week's Just Add Ink challenge (to use only stamps, ink and cardstock, but no embellishments).  It wasn't until I had reached the end, and realised I'd used my Color Spritzer tool, that I started to doubt if it qualifies.  I'll share it, anyway, as I had a lot of fun playing with these colours.

Stamps: En Francais, Inspired by Nature, Sincere Salutations

Card: Marina Mist, Watercolour paper

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Basic Black stampin' pad, Pumpkin Pie, Marina Mist and Old Olive markers

Other: Color Spritzer tool, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Stampin' sponge, water spritzer bottle

JUST ADD INK CHALLENGE #20

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is to add stitching to a papercraft project.  Much to my mother's dismay (actually, I think she resigned herself to the fact many years ago, but, still, I'm a disappointment!), I have NO clue how to use a sewing machine.  I love the idea of sewing on my cards, and every now and then think I'll invest in a Janome Sew Mini or something similar, but I always decide to spend the money on more stamps instead.  In the meantime, I use 'faux stitching' on my cards, by piercing holes at regular intervals, and using a pen to create 'stitches'.  Not quite the same, I know, but it's quick and easy.

I must apologise, in advance of showing you my card, for the actual faux stitching on this one.  I decided to use my white gel pen on black card, and, of all days, the pen decided to not co-operate - the ink was a bit runny and milky, so I didn't get quite the effect I was after.  Still, if you can see past that, and appreciate the other pretty elements on my card, that'd be great!




Stamps: Inspired by Nature, All A Flutter, Picture This

Card: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Whisper white, Glossy White

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Jet Black Staz-On inkpad, Pink Pirouette stampin' pad, Regal Rose marker, white gel pen, Re-inkers: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose

Other: Black embossing powder, mat pack and paper piercing tool, Large Oval punch, sponge dauber, brayer
 

LOVELY AS A TREE Masculine Card

Now that I'm coming down from the hype of Stampin' Up! Convention, I have a bit of catching up to do with birthday cards.  I've already apologised to my much-loved brother for not getting his card in the mail before going to Sydney ... he knows I love him!

Here is the card I made for my brother, Dean.  Whipped out my trusty Lovely As A Tree stamp set, that I think is great for men's cards.  Other items I love to use on masculine cards are the Sanded background stamp and my Colour Spritzer tool.  These got a work-out, big-time, along with a sponge dauber!



Stamps: Sanded, Inspired by Nature, Lovely As A Tree, On Your Birthday

Card: Naturals Ivory, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke

Ink: Chocolate Chip and Always Artichoke stampin' pads and markers, Sahara Sand and Basic Black stampin' pads

Other: Top Note die, sponge dauber, Colour Spritzer tool, Jumbo Eyelets (set with Crop-a-Dile), Large Oval punch, edge distressing tool



Right, better go get this card in the mail!

JUST ADD INK #16

Time for another great challenge from the Just Add Ink team.  This week it's a call-out to make a papercraft project incorporating the following colours:





I'm pretty sure it's okay to throw a 'neutral' into the mix.  No prizes for guessing that I chose to use Kraft!

I love, love, love, the single "All A Flutter" stamp that is in Stampin' Up!'s new Autumn-Winter Mini catalogue, so was determined to use it in my challenge entry.  I clear-embossed the butterfly onto Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, and Ruby Red card, by first inking the stamp in Versamark ink, then loading it with my chosen colour and stamping on the same coloured card.  A sprinkle of clear embossing powder stuck to each image, thanks to the Versamark (sticky, clear) ink. 

I've just re-read what I typed ... does that make sense to you??  I hope so!  Just ask if you need clarification (I was described by my teacher, when I was 7, as "verbose", and have proudly carried that tag all my life, LOL).




Stamps: All A Flutter, Inspired By Nature, Asian Artistry

Card: Kraft, Ruby Red, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink and Ruby Red stampin' pads, Pretty in Pink marker

Other: Soft Suede Polka Dot grosgrain ribbon (reversed), Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (coloured with marker), Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, mat pack and paper piercer, sponge dauber, Button Latte, dimensionals, mini glue dot, Stamp-a-ma-jig
 

JUST ADD INK #13

I decided last night that it is waaaaay past time that I played along with a challenge at Just Add Ink.  This week it is a colour challenge, using the following colour combo:





I thought these colours would be perfect to use with my rather neglected Inspired By Nature stamp set.  The Barely Banana daisies turned out really pale, which I loved.  I decided there was too much 'white space' on my main panel of Very Vanilla card (the neutral I chose to use), so got out my Colour Spritzer tool and splattered Chocolate Chip all over the place.  I don't mind the result, although next time I'd probably go a little less heavy-handed!  I like to tell myself that handmade cards aren't meant to be 'perfect'; they have to have their little flaws. That's why it's also okay to have my sentiment not centred in the word window panel (I was planning to add a button, then changed my mind, after I'd stuck everything down), LOL. 

Here's my card, followed by the list of products used:



Stamps: Sanded, Inspired by Nature, Teeny Tiny sentiments

Card: Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana, Kiwi Kiss, Very Vanilla

Ink: Kiwi Kiss stampin' pad, Barely Banana stampin' pad and marker, Chocolate Chip marker

Other: Word Window punch, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, sponge daubers, 5/16" Chocolate Chip brads, Sizzlits Lots of Tags (Label 1), Colour Spritzer tool, Walk in the Park designer series paper (retired)
  

"JUST ADD INK" 10 - COLOUR CHALLENGE

This week the colour 'challenge' (and I use that term loosely, because, hey, take a LOOK at these yummy colours!) over at Just Add Ink  is to make a card/item using this colour combo:







I've kind of 'gone to town' on this one.  Might just be a tad overdone, LOL, but I LOVE the new wheel that is coming out in the Autumn/Winter Mini catalogue in just a few days.

I won't waffle on, because I am about to race out the door to have dinner at my in-laws' (yay to not having to cook ... ah, again!).  Here is my card:





Stamps: Very Vintage wheel (out 1st April), Inspired by Nature, Best Yet

Card: White Glossy Card, Kraft, Cameo Coral, Blush Blossom, Close to Cocoa

Ink: Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom and Cameo Coral stampin' pads

Other: Sponge daubers, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/2" circle punch (not Stampin' Up!), Scallop Circle Punch, edge distresser, Build-a-Brad, 1/2" circle punch, Valet Ribbon Originals, Kraft taffeta ribbon.