Birthday wish for a Halloween Witch

 Sometimes you just have to embrace the day you are born, as my sister-in-law does with her October 31st birthday.  It great that I can create a handmade card just for her that celebrates her birthday in witchy style.  The next two weeks at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog we have a fun tic tac toe to play with.

I choose the diecut, ribbon or twine, patterned paper horizontal row.  I started with the patterned paper that already had a lovely oval die cut in the middle!

• The "witch foot" is stamped in Memento Luxe Black Tuxedo and Heat embossed with black embossing powder.  It is the Hero Arts Stamp and Cut released in 2016.   It is then die cut.
  
• Nuvo Crystal Drops in Bright Gold is put on the buckle and a small black pearl is placed in the center.
• The paper is DCWV Dots, the twine is American Crafts.
• The card is assembled to determine the sentiments placement.  The orange cardstock is from my stash.  The top sentiment is from the Witch Foot stamp set, the Birthday is from Technique Tuesday.  Both are stamped in Memento Luxe Black Tuxedo and Heat embossed with black embossing powder.

Please do join along and make your own project to use the tic tac toe!

CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

• We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
• New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
• Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
• Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB239.  No backlinking. 
• Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
• Enter as many times as you like. 
• Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
• If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
• Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that difficult.

Fall SketchyTime at Retro Rubber

Another two weeks for a fun sketch to use up scraps in your stash at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog.  Patterned paper, specialty paper or in my case, scraps of paper I have inked with various methods over the years.

Several stamps were used in the creation of this card.  First is an ancient rubber brayer that creates a gauze look background.  It is at least 20 years old!  Pink Ink for Impression Obession Falling Leaves stamp and die set was released in 2018.  The sentiment is by Boxer Scrapbooking release in 2007 named Celebrations.

Since many of these "experiments" were done over the last 15 years or so, the colors listed are the most probable colors . . . my color swatch book was very helpful in identification.

•  Top left and bottom left are from the same scrap.  A foam brayer was used to add color from Kaliedacolor Autumn Leaves. 
  
• The next section also appears twice uses a solid rubber brayer and Kaliedacolor Autumn Leaves.  Really a different look.
  
• The yellow section was the accidental spill of Fireworks! in Dandelion Yellow.  It has a wonderful shimmer.  The spill happened on my craft mat, and was soaked up with white cardstock.  
• The yellow orange sections are Faber Castelle Gelatos on white cardstock, which are blended with water.  
• The bottom left is Faber Castelle Gelatos on brown cardstock.  
• The white with swirls was an experiment with foam shaving cream and All Purpose Inks in Vegas Gold, Chocolate, and Black Pearl.  
• The ancient gauze patterned brayer also used Kaliedacolor Autumn Leaves.  The inside edge was trimmed with Creative Memories 12-inch Trimmer and the Deckle trimmer blade. 
  
• The sections are trimmed to various sizes and adhered on the A-2 card base.  The remainder is trimmed from the back to line up with the card base.
  
• The center circle is Falling Leaves embossing folder inked in Memento Potters Clay and pressure embossed.  It was a little messy, but works perfection in this sketch as a background.  Spellbinders Standard Circle die was used to die cut the circle.
• The leaf in the center is Fireworks! in Dandelion Yellow, Tangelo, and Rich Cocoa spritzed on white cardstock.  Pink Ink for Impression Obession Falling Leaves stamp is stamped in Tuxedo black and die cut.   Boxer Scrapbooking's Happy Birthday is stamped in Memento Luxe Morocco and heat embossed with Terra Cotta (manufacturer unknown) embossing powder. Another die cut is glued behind to add some dimension.

I hope you enjoyed this little foray into the uses of different mediums to create a cohesive look.  You never know when an experiment goes well, it could be featured in a future project with left over scraps!

CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

• We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
• New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
• Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
• Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB240.  No backlinking. 
• Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
• Enter as many times as you like. 
• Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
• If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
• Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that difficult.

Please do join us and make your own card with this fun sketch!  Thank you for stopping by my blog!

 

Fall Color Challenge at Retro Rubber

 For our challenge at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog the colors are slightly non-traditional for fall.  It was really fun to come up with a design that is fallish as Dahlias are still blooming this time of year.

It is so fun to enjoy my Dahlias this time of year.  I once had a neighbor who was a Dahlia aficionado, and grew about 30 kinds of dinner plate Dahlias.   He would share his beautiful blooms.  This card uses Pinkfresh Dahlia Bunch from October 2021.  So Pinkfresh also likes Dahlias in the fall too.  I didn't want to use the entire image on one card so it is carefully trimmed to place on two cards.  Since coloring is so easy with matching stencils I actually made a set of four cards!

First card using the lower part of the image.

Second card using the upper part of the image.

• The Pinkfresh Dahlia image is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black.
• The coordinating stencils are used to add Memento Dandelion Yellow, Cantaloupe, Morocco, Summer Sky, and Teal Zeal.
• The stamped image is die cut with the matching die, then trimmed into two pieces.  A second die cut is glued to the back to give a bit of dimension.
  
• Cuttlebug Basket Weave embossing folder is inked up in Memento Morocco and the background is pressure embossed.  The Basket Weave is highlighted by direct to paper inking in Memento Dandelion Yellow. 
• The A-2 card base is inked in Memento Teal Zeal to match the leaves.  
• All the layers are adhered together.  

This is another card that I want to wait until I send it to add the sentiment.  I have two friends battling breast cancer, and I try to send them sweet snail mail about once a month.  I may also use a few as thank you cards.

 

CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

• We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
• New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
• Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
• Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB239.  No backlinking. 
• Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
• Enter as many times as you like. 
• Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
• If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
• Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that difficult.

 Thank you for stopping by and do come play with us over a Retro Rubber Challenge Blog!

The Great Outdoors for Retro Rubber

At Retro Rubber Challenge Blog we have a fun challenge for the next two weeks.  As I sit at my computer and gaze at the wonderful view out my windows of the great outdoors!

My current stamp stash does not contain camping images, but I do have more than a few of the outdoor themed stamps.  I decided to combine two different companies to create the card below.

 

 

For the background of the card I used Hero Arts Layering Mountains at the Lake released in 2020.  I live on a lake now, but do not have mountains.  The background reminds me a bit of being a Dillon Reservoir in Colorado.   The front images are from Heartfelt Creations Woodsy Wonderland release in 2017.

• Memento Toffee Crunch and Rich Cocoa were used to stamp the mountains.  
• Trees are stamped in Versa Magic Tea Leaves and Spanish Olive.
•  A mask is stamped and fussy cut to allow the sky to be sponged in Versa Magic Sea Breeze.
  
• The lake was added by mixing Versa Magic Sea Breeze and Aegean Blue with bristle blending brushes.  The reflection in the water is stamped in Memento Luxe Wedding Dress.
• Woodsy Treescape and Woodsy Wonderland is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black.  The images were colored with Prisma Colored pencils from the 48 color set I've had since about 1998! All are die cut with the matching dies.  
• Dark brown cardstock is trimmed to A-2 card size.  The center is removed with Heartfelt Creations Cut Mat Create Die 2A.  To match the interior of the frame, Fiskars Corner Rounder was used on the card base and frame 
• The Treescape is adhered to the card front and the frame is adhered over it.
• The Woodsy Wonderland image is die cut twice more and adhered to the back of the image to create a sturdy layered image.

I've not added a sentiment yet . . . might later depending on the recipient and occasion!  I'm really pleased with the final card.  Not necessarily my typical style of card right now, but I'm glad I have these stamps in my stash! 

CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

• We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
• New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
• Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
• Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB238.  No backlinking. 
• Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
• Enter as many times as you like. 
• Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
• If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
• Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that difficult.

Please do join along and add your card or project to our gallery at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog!

Tic Tac Toe Thank you card for Retro Rubber

 A very fun Tic Tac Toe at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog for the next two weeks.  Honestly, sometimes I struggle with Tic Tac Toe challenges because there are too many choices.  

 

I purchased an Altenew set "Beautiful Life" from 2021, and had to play with all the elements!  I do like that it has matching Stamps, Die and Stencils, as well as an Embossing Folder.

 The vertical line of stencil, heat/dry emboss, and metallics was the inspiration for this card. 

• The image is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.
• Stencils are used to ink the flower in Memento Dandelion and Cantaloupe, the leaves in Memento Pear Tart and Bamboo Leaves.  
• The image is die cut.
• Another Altenew set added the gold leaves.  "Leafy Splendor" from 2024.  The leaves are die cut from gold metallic paper then pressure embossed with the matching embossing folder.  
• Beautiful Life embossing folder is used to pressure emboss Color Core cardstock.  The surface is sanded to allow the shadow image to pop in orange.
• The same cardstock is used to create the matching sentiment die cut, using the reverse side.  Altenew Elegant Sayings is stamped in Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black and heat embossed with black detailed embossing powder then die cut.  Additional die cuts adhered to the back create a raised sentiment with a hint of white outline.
• The card is assembled and an A-2 card base.

 CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

• We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
• New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
• Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
• Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB237.  No backlinking. 
• Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
• Enter as many times as you like. 
• Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
• If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
• Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that difficult.

Please do come play along with us at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog!  We love to see your creations. 

Slimline Sketch at Retro Rubber

It is time for a new challenge at Retro Rubber.  This is the sketch I provided for the challenges, a Slimline design.

 

 

I had a specific stamp in mind when I designed this sketch.  Then wouldn't you know it I couldn't find it!  I did eventually locate it, an image by Creative Companion released in 2021 along with three other script and block images designed to work together.

For this card I went to my stash of "techniques tried and not used" cardstock.  Then decided to pull from a variety of greens.  (My handy color charts allowed me to identify the inks used, but since the samples were created over last 10 years or so, I may not be absolutely correct :))

• The background for the sentiment is water color paper that is brayered with Kaleidacolor Fresh Green.  Most likely it was spritzed with water to allow the colors to blend seamlessly.
• The narrow stripe is spritzed with Shimmer Mist in Sparkle then pressure embossed with a basket weave embossing folder.  Memento Bamboo Leaves was applied to the raised areas of the paper.
• The far right piece was bayered with Electric Blue Radiant Neon ink with a foam brayer.  It was embossed with a dots embossing folder and the raised areas inked with Electric Green Radiant Neon ink.  Radiant Neon inks are pigment based and have a softer look.
• All three sections are trimmed and adhered to the Slimline card base.  
• "Birthday" is stamped in Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black and heat embossed with ultra fine black embossing powder.  
• "HAPPY" is stamped over the birthday in Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black.
• Crafty Medley Green sequins are adhered then topped with Nuvo Crystal Drops in Gloss Ebony. 

I do hope you will join us at Retro Rubber with the challenge!  It would be a blast to see how you interpret my sketch! 

CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

• We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
• New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
• Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
• Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB236.  No backlinking. 
• Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
• Enter as many times as you like. 
• Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
• If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
• Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that difficult.

Thanks for stopping by!

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy time at Retro Rubber

 Ah, the taste of fresh homemade lemonade . . . tangy sweet summer time drink!  Our challenge for the next two weeks at Retro Rubber Blog challenge is a color challenge, with the sample incorporating lemons.  

 

I choose to stay with the lemon theme with Hero Arts "Zest Wishes" from 2020.  I don't own the die set for this stamp collection, but it was easy peasy enough to fussy cut the images!

• The images were stamped in Nocturne Versa Fine Clair and heat embossed with black embossing powder on white cardstock.
• The images were water colored with Memento Dandelion and Cantaloupe.
• The sentiment is stamped in Versa Color Cyan and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. 
• Spellbinders Standard Circles large was used to die cut the circles, one from yellow vellum.  (I like how the yellow vellum over blue gives a greenish hue!)
• The background is blue cardstock has texture from the Taylored Expressions Pierced Circles Cutting Plate.
• Two of the images were fussy cut and the entire card is adhered together.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.  We hope you play along with our challenge at Retro Rubber Blog Challenge.  

CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

• We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
• New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
• Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
• Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB235.  No backlinking. 
• Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
• Enter as many times as you like. 
• Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
• If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
• Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that difficult.