Black and White Theme at STB!

Our new challenge at Seize The Birthday has a Toppings option of a Black & White color combination.  There are so many possibilities that I had a hard time deciding!

Of course, as always, the Topping is an option.  Anything goes...as long as it's birthday themed!

I did a bit of experimenting on this card.  Here is what I created.

That background was created by applying white pigment ink over a stencil.  I faded it as I worked toward the top left corner.   I love the effect!  It makes me think of the shadow from sunlight shining though a leaded glass window.  What do you think?

I die cut 3 hollyhocks to layer over the background, applied a few drops of black enamel accents to the flower centers, then layered my sentiment strip over it all.

I hope you'll play along with us at Seize The Birthday.  We love seeing what you create.  :)

Supply list ~
Card stock: basic black (SU), white linen essentials (Ellen Hutson), white (Recollections)
Stamps: handwritten sentiments (SSS)
Ink: unicorn white (Memories), onyx black (Versafine)
Other: stencil (Heidi Swapp), hollyhock stem die (Memory Box), black enamel accents (Ranger)

Snowflakes Sparkle!

No, we don't have any snowflakes here!  In fact it's hot and humid this weekend.  We've been spoiled by a very mild, comfortable summer.  So, I guess I shouldn't complain!

Anyway, you're not here to listen to me whine about the humidity, are you?  Nope.

I only had time to create one card this (very busy) weekend.  And I chose to play along with CAS(E) this sketch #89.  This sketch by Leigh Penner is just what I needed to give me some inspiration on how to use a die I just bought.

Here's the sketch.

I created this Christmas card to add to my stash.

I cut my birch trees from Sahara Sand card stock and adhered that to a white card base.  The frame was the negative that was left behind, after using a rectangle die.  I popped it up with foam tape then added my sentiment banner.  The final touch was to add some clear Wink of Stella to the left edge of each of the trees.  Hopefully you can see that in the closeup photo.  If you click on the photo, you should get a larger version of it.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies used ~
Card stock: white (Recollections), sahara sand (SU)
Ink: onyx black (Versafine)
Stamps: in the meadow (PTI)
Dies: stitched mats rectangles (Lil' Inkers Designs), birch tree cutting plate (Taylored Expressions)
Other: clear wink of stella (Kuretake)

A Watercolor and Bokeh

Yay!  It's time for a new 2-week challenge at Seize The Birthday.  This time there is no Toppings option.  So...anything goes.  Well, as long as it's a Birthday card, of course.

It wasn't easy to decide what technique I wanted to use for this No Toppings challenge.  I'm seeing so many fun video tutorials lately.  When I came across Dawn Woleslagle's video on the Bokeh technique...that made my decision easy!  HERE is the link to her video, if you want to check it out.

I made 2 cards using this technique.  I'll show you my second attempt first.  I love how this one turned out!  The first one...not so much.  I'll include a photo of it at the bottom of this post though, so you can see what I mean.

This was SO much fun.  I love playing with watercolors, as you've probably noticed.  Then add to that some circle stenciling, some Wink of Stella and a few sequins.  Oh. And a heat embossed sentiment, too. 
Well.  Good times!

Um...here is my first attempt at Dawn's Bokeh technique.

I added some white splatter to this card, and it just doesn't look right.  THEN when I stamped "birthday" under the Happy sentiment it just looked wonky.  So, I stamped it on a scrap that I had trimmed off the main panel. I attached that with foam tape.  Hmmm, it just doesn't look right.
But I figured it was only fair to show you my experimental card!

Anyway, thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you'll leave a comment.  I lvve reading them!
Susie

Supplies for "It's Your Day" ~
Card stock: white (Recollections from Michael'), watercolor paper (Artist's Loft from Michael's)
Stamps: think big favorites #2 (PTI)
Ink: versamark, unicorn white
Other: white ep (SU), watercolores and brushes (Michael''s), sponge dauber (SU), clear wink of stella (Kuretake), in color sequins (SU)

Supplies for the "Happy Birthday" ~
Same as for the card above, just different watercolors and the sentiment is from Wet Paint by PTI.