Masculine cards . . .

 Hello Friends ...

With a Fall craft show on the horizon, I was checking through my sale boxes and see I need to get busy and create more 'masculine' styled cards in various categories.  So I looked through Paper Playful and came up with a couple challenges that inspired me and here's what I've come up with . . .

This mood board over at the Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge #447 caught my attention and I knew I had some 'Too Much Fun' images that would work perfectly as the focus of my card.

 

  And the 'hand stamped' sentiment I've used is from a Stampin' Up set titled 'In The Moment'.  I've had this set for quite awhile now and this is the first time it's been opened & inked up.  That being said, I'd like to also share in the NBUS Challenge.

Over on Cardz 4 Guys Challenge Blog, they are looking for Embossing (wet or dry) and of course I had the perfect embossing folder to use for the background panel to this very Fall image.  The folder is a 3D folder from Simon Says and the title is 'Fall Foliage - SF214'.

Here are a few other challenges to share in:

Classic Design Challenge #09-2024 Sept/Oct - ATG  w/twist - Autumn/Fall

Critter Crazy Challenge #90 - ATG with a Critter

Not 2 Shabby September Challenge - Mood Board

These challenges have been so much fun to join into and have inspired me to create a few more cards today.  Fall is certainly in the air here in Akron, Ohio and I don't know about you but Fall is always a refreshing time of the year for me.  

Thanks so much for stopping by and hope you have a great day ahead!

As always . . .

One Way to use up scraps ... Tutorial

 Hello Friends ...

Recently I've been working on Tissue Box Covers for an upcoming craft show and I always end up with a stack of 12" x 3 1/4" strips (that's just how it works out with the dimensions needed from a 12x12 sheet of decorative paper for the boxes).   In the past I have used some of those scraps for a simple coordinating card but I saw this technique somewhere online and it's another great way to use up those scrap panels.

I shared a few cards I made the other day here on my blog using this same technique and I just happened to think today you might like making some panels for yourself ... Lord knows we all have scraps laying around.

I've cut my strips in various widths 1/4", 1/2", 3/4" ... it's totally up to you.

Let's get started . . .

First I gathered a few panels that would color coordinate and these papers happen to be double sided ... but this works with single sided papers to, you might just need to grab a few additional panels to get the number of different strips you'd like.

You will need a panel of sticky sided paper and a couple narrow strips of solid coordinating cardstock to create the grid you will follow ...

Now comes the FUN ... start laying out your pattern using your various decorative strips and doing one grid at a time.  You can keep each grid the same design (as I have here) or you can simple put them down in a random pattern ... choice is yours.

You can wait until the end or as I like to do, after each grid is filled in, you can cut off the excess and use what pieces fit onto your next grid.

Here is what my finished panel looks like ...

And, here it is positioned onto a card base just waiting to be decorated with a sentiment or whatever additional elements you want to add.

Isn't it pretty!  I just love using this technique as you will see over the course of the upcoming 2025 year lol!  

Hope you give it a try and please let me know if you use it and post a project ... I would LOVE to come visit your blog and check it out!!

As always ...

Happy Crafting and Hugs from Ohio!

Darlene

Double D - Fall Leaves

 

 Hello Dear Friends!

It's time once again for a new challenge over on the Double D Challenge Blog!

Here's today's theme:

 

Fall Leaves

 

and here's an inspiration board created to help get you started . . .

 

 

 

 I chose to use one of the many image sheets I bought at Adventures in Stamping last April for today's card.  These images make quick & easy cards and are all so, so pretty!   I created a background panel using TH distress oxide inks and also added a Memory Box 'Wrapped Stitched Frame' (#30117) to bring attention to my image. 

 

 

 

 

 Remember, it's a random draw for the winner so it could be YOU!!

 

Challenges to share in . . .

Simply Create Too challenge - fall or autumn
Papercraft challenges - fabulous fall

Inspiration Station challenge - inspiration photo (inspired by Fall colors, leaves)

Creative Friday challenge - die cuts or punches

You'll want to be sure to pop over to the Double D Challenge Blog to see all the details and amazing samples offered up by our VERY TALENTED design team ladies!!

 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hope to see you at Double D! 

  As always . . .

Playing with scraps . . .

 Hello All ... how's your Tuesday going?

Today I spent a little time cleaning up the cave and creating with scraps vs tossing them in the trash.  I had a few scraps from the same paper pack so I cut them in various sizes and created backgrounds.  THEN I turned those backgrounds into cards ... hope you like them.

The papers used for these cards is an old (but never opened) pack from Simple Stories called 'winter wonder'.  They are double sided so that made it even better with the technique I used for my backgrounds.

 

  I also used a pack of the Paper Studio 'stick-a-bilities' for my accents.  That pack has been hanging on my accessory wall for months (probably years lol).

Card #1

(inside)

Card #2

(inside)

Card #3

(inside)

A few challenges to share in:

AAA Birthday Birthday Card Challenge #65 - Background Focus

Archi-scraps September Challenge - Lots of Layers

(Pin)spiration September Challenge - Stitching

Snippets Playground Challenge #489 - using scraps

Ok, fun time over for today ... need to take my car up for an oil change!
Always something lol

Until next time ... thanks for stopping by and have a great remainder of your day!!

As always . . .

TOB September Mid Month Reminder

  Hello Friends! 

OLD BAT Darlene here to remind you we are half way through the month and you don't want to miss out on joining in the fun over on the Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge Blog.

I've created a card to help inspire you  ... what do you think??

 

HOPE TO SEE YOU OVER AT THE TWO OLD BATS CHALLENGE!

Thanks for stopping by!

Darlene

September 2024 Beautiful Blossoms

 

 Hello Friends ...

Welcome back to a new challenge over on the Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog.

 Here's this months INSPIRATIONAL mood board ...

 

 Today I've used the Anna Griffin 'Flower Bramble' die as
an overlay for my card front.  

 After die cutting from ivory card stock, I colored it while it was still
in the die then removed it and adhered it over a panel of rust card stock.

A quick sentiment and VIOLA!

Here's a friendly rules reminder for this challenge:

• The challenge will be a Monthly Challenge, starting the 15th of each month and ending the 12th of the following month.
• The main focus is FLOWERS!
• A Monthly Mood Board will be provided, you will use it as inspiration.
• You are limited to 8 entries per challenge.
• Please link back to us in your entry post and play often!

Thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by my blog today ...
I can't express how much it means to me!

As always . . .