A Balloon Birthday Card - Paper Players Challenge

Hey, a third blog post today.  I bet you're surprised.  So am I  :)
Well, I needed to create cards for upcoming birthdays.  And, a few of the birthdays are coming up quickly, so had to get busy!
This card is for my sister's husband.  I think I'm safe in assuming that he doesn't read my blog!

I'm playing along in The Paper Players Challenge #84.  Take a look at the sketch that LeAnne has created for the challenge.

My card ~

I wanted to go clean and simple with this card.  And I knew that wanted to extend my image through 3 panels.  In looking through my stamp sets, I found this SU hostess set that hadn't seen ink in a while.  I think it works well for a "guy" card.  I extended my panels above the top of the card to give it the sense of a "lift".  As though the balloon might float away.  Is it working?  I'm still undecided.
I drew the string with a Versamark marker, then heat embossed it with the same EP that I used on the balloon.  As you can see, I couldn't resist adding a couple of bows to the sentiment panel.  I felt it needed something to anchor it.  I also drew a little silver bow just beneath the balloon.
Thanks so much for taking a look today!

What's in it?

card stock: stampers select white (PTI)

ink: Versamark pad and marker

stamps: birthday whimsy (SU)

other: saphir pearl lustre embossing powder (Stampendous), grommet tags die (Spellbinders), silver cord (Really Reasonable Ribbon), silver writer marker (EK Success)

More Candles - Color Throwdown Challenge

Hi!  I'm back with my second post for today.  You can click HERE to see my previous post.
This card is going into the challenge at Color Throwdown 180.  I like this color combo :)

As I said, I really like these colors.  But...I struggled with this card.  My first attempt had to put in the "use those pieces later" file!  This is what I finally came up with.

My liquid pearls have been neglected, so I've been wanting to put them to use.  I think they're just the right embellishment to go with some intricate die cuts.  They add a soft, glimmery touch.
I'll have to finish this post and get back to lunch prep!  I'll list my supplies below.
Thanks for stopping in!

What's in it?

card stock: basic gray, pumpkin pie, barely banana, bashful blue (Stampin' Up!)

ink: basic black (SU)

stamp: whimsicle words (SU)

other: classic lace (Offray), antique brads (SU), silver pearl liquid pearls (Ranger), fleur de lis die, labels six die (Spellbinders)

Happy Birthday with rolled flowers - Card Patterns Sketch

Hi!  I hope you're having a good weekend.  Mine has been good, except for a sinus infection.  But...I didn't let that keep me away from my craft table :)  One of my stamping buddies came over to stamp with me yesterday, even though she's fighting an ear infection.  Yes, we were quite the duo, huh Cheryl?

Okay!  Back to the challenge.  I'm playing along with the Card Patterns Sketch 154.  You can take a look.

I created a card that measures 4 3/4" x 9".  It will fit in a business size envelope - well, maybe.  You see, I've added some rolled flowers.  Hmmm....
Anyway, here's my take on the CP sketch.

Oh, I love the colors of Kraft and Baja Blue together.  I used several pieces of dsp from Stampin' Up!'s Elegant Soiree`.  I think the color of the leaves is Soft Suede.  I used a piece of kraft colored felt in a PTI die for the border.  So soft!
I sprayed the entire card with some Pearl glimmer mist, but I couldn't get it to show up in my photos.
Thanks so much for taking a look.  I hope you'll leave a comment!

What's in it?

card stock: kraft (PTI), baja breeze (SU)

ink: early espresso (SU)

dsp: elegant soiree` (SU)

stamp: think big favorites #12 (PTI)

other: kraft wool felt (PTI), pearl glimmer mist (Tattered Angels), filigree border die (PTI), rolled flower die (MFT), leaves die (SU by Sizixx), corner rounder, glue dots

lucky me - The Play Date Cafe Challenge #119

It's a bright sunny Sunday, worship service was great...and I'm posting a card!  I made this card late yesterday, but couldn't get a good photo without sunlight.  So, I'm doing this short post before I start making lunch :)

I'm playing along in the Play Date Cafe Challenge #119.  It's one of their fun color splash challenges.  Take a look:

Black and white with just a splash of hot pink.  I really had to dig through my older stash of card stock to find a hot pink.  It's not a color that I use often.  In fact, seldom!  But I love the color splash challenges, so I pushed myself out of my comfort zone.  I need that "push" sometimes. lol

This is what I created.

 I used my splash of hot pink behind this die-cut work "lucky".  I popped that panel up on dimensional adhesive.  I used white embossing powder for the word "me".  This was such an easy card to create...except for attaching those tiny pieces of cs inside the l, k & y.  Yikes. Not so easy cutting those slivers of dimensional adhesive, then using tweezers to place the pieces.  It was a challenge....pun intended (but lame :) )
Thanks for looking!

What's in it?

card stock: basic black, whisper white, pink passion ? (SU)

stamp: wonderful words additions (PTI)

ink: versamark

die: wonderful words (PTI)

other: winter white embossing powder (SU), heat tool, dimensional adhesive, anti-static bag

The Paper Players - Design Team Call

Hi, this isn't my usual blog post with a challenge card.  I'm submitting this post in answer to a Design Team Call over at The Paper Players.  So, if you are a regular reader of my blog, you may have already seen these projects.

To the DT at the Paper Players:
1)  My name is Susie Wittwer
2)  I work full time, but squeeze in as much crafting (and blogging) time as I can on the weekends. During the work week I also find time each evening to read my favorite blogs.  I love participating in challenges and I love blogging!  I enjoy sharing what I create, almost as much as I enjoy creating it.  I would love to join the DT for several reasons.  First, to learn and grow more as a crafter and blogger.  Second, to be a part of a team that inspires others.  And, third...this would be a great opportunity to "meet" even more people who have a passion for this craft.

3)  I'm including 3 of my favorite projects, as requested.

This card uses SU dsp, a paper doily, a heart cut out of packaging from a box of candy...and a bow made of vintage seam binding.  The little rose is from SU; I colored it with a marker.  Also, I added 3 vintage buttons.

I used a SU stamp set for the dress form and for the "ruler" stamped on the crumb cake seam binding.  The dsp is also SU.  The sentiment is computer generated.  I've added some machine stitching also, to go along with the sewing theme.

I used a SU stamp for the pussy willow images, after masking and sponging the background with several colors of SU ink.  I believe the sentiment is from Gina K Designs.

Thank you very much for your consideration!

Happy Birthday - Play Date Cafe Challenge

Hey, I'm back for my second post today :)
This card is going into the Play Date Cafe Challenge #118.  Here's the challenge!

I love those colors, don't you?
I chose to go clean and simple with my card.  I love CAS, but my card is just lacking something.  And I don't know what it is.  But, I'll show you anyway.  Maybe you can tell me!

After stamping, I added a tiny blue gem to each little bird.  I think the rest is pretty easy to figure out, but if you have any questions, please ask!
Thanks for popping in for a look,

What's in it?

card stock: night of navy, daffodil delight, whisper white (SU)

stamps: birthdays by the numbers, happy trails (PTI)

ink: night of navy, pacific point, daffodil delight

other: blue gems (The Paper Studio)

You Rock! - CAS-ual Fridays Challenge

Hi!  I've got a card for the current challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays.  The challenge this week is to use paper piecing.

I love the detail work of doing paper piecing, so this challenge pulled me in right away.  This is what I came up with.

I had fun with this card.  Even though I kept messing up the crystal effects on the TV screen.  This one is my second attempt...but it's still not as smooth as I had hoped.  I applied the crystal effects to a piece of striped patterned paper.  I stamped the TV on another patterned paper, cut it out (and cut out the inside of the screen with a craft knife).  I placed this onto the first piece before the glaze dried, so that it would adhere...and so that the shiny glaze would be pushed up a little from the edges of the frame.  Hopefully, this gives the illusion of a slightly rounded or domed screen, like one of those old televisions.
This card will be going into my Etsy shop.

Thanks so much for stopping in to take a look!

What's in it?

card stock: whisper white, not quite navy (Stampin' Up!)

ink: staz-on (Tsukineko), basic black (SU)

stamps: boob tube, sentiment sampler (Paper Smooches)

patterned papers: lost & found 6" x 6" pad (My Mind's Eye)

other: glossy accents (Ranger)

You're Not Old - Birthday card - 2 challenges

Hi all!  I've got another card that I made yesterday, but had to wait to photograph it today.  And our weather has been so cloudy that it's difficult to get good pics. And, wouldn't you know...now that my photos are edited and I'm ready to post.  The sun is out! lol

Anyway.  This birthday card is going into 2 challenges.

Lily Pad Cards - Simon Says Stamp Presents a Patterned Paper Challenge.

Unscripted Sketches #144
I chose to rotate this sketch for my card.

I have a 6 x 6 pad of Modern Homemaker patterned paper that is soooo cute.  I've been in the mood to pull it out and put some of those sweet papers to use.  I've used 2 patterns for this card.

Isn't that retro kitchen paper sweet?  I love it.  Maybe because I remember those items from my childhood.  Hmmm...I'm showing my age :)    So.  I used a Spellbinders die for the focal image.  Slightly off-setting the solid yellow card stock from the striped paper.  I added a little machine stitching, a banner for the sentiment and some buttons and ribbon.  So fun!

I'll be putting this card in my Etsy shop soon.

Thanks for taking a look!

What's in it?

card stock: daffodil delight, basic gray (SU)

patterned paper: modern homemaker (October Afternoon)

sentiment: generated in MS Word

other: labels four die (Spellbinders), buttons (Basic Grey), ribbon (Michaels), yellow thread, sewing machine

Happy Birthday (with patterned papers) - Lily Pad Cards Challenge

Hi, it's Saturday morning...so it must be time to get crafty, huh?  Well, the laundry is almost done, so I gave myself permission to spend some time at my craft table :)  This card is a lacy, frilly one.  These cards take quite a while to make (at least for me), but I was in the mood for frills and some soft, subtle patterned papers.

I'm playing along in the Lily Pad Cards "Simon Says Stamp Presents a Patterned Paper Challenge".
We're supposed to dig out something from that stash of patterned paper that most of us crafters hoard...ah, collect.  Maybe you can relate?

My card ~

Ahhh.  This is one of those times when the card turned out just as I had envisioned it.  Believe me, that doesn't always happen!  I used 2 patterned papers, 2 types of lace, a piece of ric-rac and a piece of that oh-so-pretty Pool Party seam binding that I bought recently.  I did some stitching on the main panel and the focal panel.   I also added a stick-pin, a tiny button...and as a finishing touch, a little tinsel glitter above the layers of lace.   Yeah.  Frilly fun.  Seriously.
Anyway, thanks for looking!  I hope you'll leave a comment.

P.S.  I'll be putting this card in my Etsy shop soon.  There's a link in my upper right sidebar that will take you to my shop.

The recipe:

card stock: white (PTI), pool party (SU)

patterned papers: basics white 6 x 6 pad (Basic Grey)

ink: onyx black (Versafine)

stamp: think big favorites #12 (PTI)

other: pool party seam binding (SU), button (Basic Grey), die-namics edge die (MFT), crystal tinsel glitter (MS), wide white lace (The Paper Studio), narrow lace (from my stash), beachfront white ric-rac (SU - discontinued), pewter stick pin (Jenny Bowlin)