It's your Day!

Hello dear bloggers,

I smooshed the back of a thick cardboard coaster with neon Mala paints, embossed it and stuck the ice cream image on. 

The ice cream image was sent by a very dear blogger friend, Sandra Baldwin many years ago when we lived in Indonesia which makes it over 8-9 years ago. 

The sentiment is a die cut one and a black piece of cardstock was stuck under the round coaster to bring out the brightness. You may need sunglasses to view this card.

 I will participate in the following challenges:

http://welove2create.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://blog.dare2bartzy.com/tag/challenge/ - dare to be artsy

https://allfunchallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica 

Neon dragonflies

Dear bloggers,

The dragonflies here have been punched from cardstock that I painted with Mala paints from Ikea.   Orange and pink paint was randomly squeezed on to an acrylic block before smooshing it on to paper. A Sakura gold gel pen was used to add interest to their veins. 

The eyes of the dragonflies were done with a black Copics marker while the sentiment was handwritten with the same marker.  

The punched dragonflies were lying on my table for a quite a long time as a result of which some of them lost one of their antenna. Instead of throwing away the entire dragonfly I stuck it in a way that the missing antenna would not be visible.

Down below is a closeup of the gold penwork.

I will participate in the following challenges:

https://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://creativfusion.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://colourcrazychallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything colouring goes

http://mytimetocraftchallenge.blogspot.com/ - CAS

http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/ - CAS

https://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica 

Black and white die cut roses

Hello dear bloggers,

This card has been made with my latest rose corner die. I had to use ribbon on the left with the knot covering the marks left behind with edging of the die. On the inside of the card base, there is a black and white fancy gift wrap (which I have been hoarding for years) to add more interest to the card. I stuck an inner as well so that the card looks professional. I thought the backdrop looks nice but maybe it is too monochrome.

 I will enter this card in the following challenges:

https://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/ - old school

http://asyoulikeitchallenge.blogspot.com/ - fave way to add ribbon and why

http://creativeknockouts.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Ellibelle's corner - beginning with b (black here)

Frillie and Funkie  - it is a wrap (well, I have used gift wrap)

Monica 

Fans

Hello dear peeps,

This card was made with my new fan die. The bronze-ish paper is handmade and it is from India. The pink fan has been cut on paper that was smooshed with Camlin watercolour brush markers. The fan at the bottom has been die cut using gold paper. The baby pink nestie with gold edging was sent to me by dear Shirley-Anne many years ago while we lived in Jakarta. The paper underneath the nestie was dyed using Camlin watercolour brush markers. I quite like this busy yet charming card.

I will take part in the following challenges:

http://creativeknockouts.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/ - inky

https://kraftychickschallenge.blogspot.com/ - all occasions

https://thethreemuseschallenge.blogspot.com/ - layers

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica

 

Happy Birthday

 

Hello dear bloggers,

The die cut sentiment with the wreath around it has been cut using a lid made of foil. The background was created with distress inks with Smoosh technique. The washi tape is from my stash. 

I will participate in the following challenges:

http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Simplyellibelle - anything starting with the letter b

http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.com/ - sentiment as focus

https://watercoolerchallenges.blogspot.com/ - occasions

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://stampsfun-creativity.blogspot.com/ - lavender or purple

https://jansdigistampschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://pammiesinkypinkieschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica 

Horse against a mesh

Hello dear bloggers,

This horse die cut has been set against a wire mesh die cut which was done from cardstock with brown acrylic paint on it. I had to fill up the empty space on top of the card base with a washi tape that seemed to match quite well. Seems simple yet it took time getting the wire mesh out of the die with its over 100 pieces which reminded me of a jigsaw puzzle. Sticking the wire mesh was a whole new dimension. Anyway, I think it looks nice. I would welcome more ideas on how to use this mesh die.

I will enter this card in the following challenges:

http://craftysentiments.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://digichoosday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://everybody-art-challenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://lemonshortbreadchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://craftinghappinesschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica 

 

Feathers again

 Dear bloggers,

The background of this card was painted with black acrylic paint on the front and back as suggested by my mum who is quite an artist. She asked me to take multiple cardstocks and paint over them with different colours. Here is the black and white one with die cut leaves on them. The leaf on the left was painted using distress oxides while the one on the right was done on a packaging material with neon tubes.

I purposely let it be sentiment free.

I will enter the following challenges with this card:

https://allfunchallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://dragonflydreamschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com/p/challenge.html - anything goes

http://pearlysparkleschallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://creativecrafterschallenge.blogspot.com/ -anything goes

http://cardz4galz.blogspot.com/ - card for gals

Monica 

Water coloured butterfly

Hello dear bloggers,

The butterfly has been die cut from paper that I smooshed with Pentel watercolours. Embossing with the addition of a sentiment and it was done. I know this is a popular layout but it really appeals to me. 

 

I will participate in the following challenges with this card:

https://allfunchallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://blog.dare2bartzy.com/tag/challenge/ - anything goes

http://dragonflydreamschallenges.blogspot.com/ anything goes

http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica 

Feathers

 Dear bloggers,

Here is a card that Aleeza, my younger one put together. She hand drew the feather and coloured it with her Magic Markers from Hamley's and did fussy cutting around it. The design, layout and sentiment was chosen by her while the sticking and stamping (of the sentiment0 was done by me. 

I will participate in the following challenges with this card:

https://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://crafterscastle.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://mytimetocraftchallenge.blogspot.com/ - CAS

http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - doodling

http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/ - picture perfect

Monica 

Yellow is the colour

Hello lovely bloggers,

Here is a card made with the reverse of a die of a fern leaf. The base of this card was painted with a watered down version of yellow acrylic paint. The darkish yellow painted background on the reverse nestie was done with thick acrylic paints in yellow and brown. The sentiment was handwritten with brush markers and layered on to two banners.

 

I will enter this card in:

https://colourcrazychallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything shows

https://creativfusion.blogspot.com/ -  anything goes

https://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://simplycreatetoo.blogspot.com/ - black/white and one other colour

https://creativecrafterschallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/ - picture perfect

https://creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.com/ - anything mixed media goes

Monica 

Elegant wreath for a birthday

Hello sweet peeps,

Aleeza, my 12 year old put this card together after getting inspired on Pinterest. We punched the flowers together using paper on which I had used water colour pencils and a spray of water on it. I thought it all came about so elegantly. I had to stick the stamp sentiment right under the wreath to hide glue marks that appeared from nowhere. The two tiny hydrangeas were stuck for the same purpose.

 

I will participate in the following challenges:

http://craftrocketchallenges.blogspot.com/ - birthday

https://kraftychickschallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://laviniaworldchallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://seizethebirthday.blogspot.com/ - birthday + option rainbow colours

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica 

Floral image

Hello dear bloggers,

The image on this card was a pretty paper napkin in its previous life. While we lived in Mumbai, one of my charming friends called us to tea and the paper napkins were just too special to be used to wipe my hands with. So I carefully brought it home. That was in 2006 or 2007 - yes!!! I tried to make a card out of it but it was left undone and just a few days ago, I managed to put it together. Trust me, it took a while to fit the napkin under a reverse nestie because the napkin was too small to fit. After many trials, this was the result. I embossed it all and left it sentiment free.

 I will participate in the following challenges:

https://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/ - punches and dies

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://thepapergirlschallenge.blogspot.com/ - emboss like a boss

http://happycraftchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://challengeleannsworld101.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica 

LIve, Love, Laugh

Hello sweet peeps,

I had the reverse of a Spellbinder's nestie lying the bottom of which I had punched with a border punch.  Found matching ribbon and die cut leaves from my newest dies to add on to. The Live, Love, Laugh sentiment die was picked up from the cutest craft store when we went to Gold Coast last year. The paper out of which the sentiment has been die cut was painted with Mala paints from Ikea after smooshing it over an acrylic block.

I will enter this card in the following challenges:

Arty Divas - anything goes

https://digichoosday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://lemonshortbreadchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://craftinghappinesschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica 

Hi

Hello dear bloggers,

This background here has been painted with acrylic paints on to a light blue paper and it was embossed before sticking two die cut fern leaves on it. The sentiment is from my stash.

I will participate in the following challenges:

https://craftinghappinesschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/ - lots of layers

https://jansdigistampschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://thepapergirlschallenge.blogspot.com/ - emboss like a boss

Monica 

   

Sunshine makes you shine

 Hello sweet peeps,

I had this 'rays' stencil lying in my stencil box for the longest time and finally, it got to see the light. 

I have sponged it with two distress inks. I have masked the sun with an oval nestie and the sentiment has been stamped using black Stazon. The orange edging was done on the card base using a Prisma pencil and to be honest, it looks much nicer in real life.

I will participate in the following challenges with my card:

http://abitmoretimetocraft.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://theartisticstampercreativeteam.blogspot.com/ - must use stamp, anything goes

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com/p/challenge.html - anything goes

https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/ - dots and/or stripes

http://createfulheartcards.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://happycraftchallenge.blogspot.com/ - always anything goes

https://lostcoastportaltocreativity.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://atlanticheartschallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica

Hello and Happy Birthday

Hello sweet peeps,

These two entries are for CAS(E) this Sketch. My younger daughter, Aleeza smooshed cardstock with very ordinary watercolours and wrote the calligraphed the sentiment. I layered it with two round nesties, embossed it and stuck it off the card so as to follow the challenge. The embossed white strip at the bottom was to hide some glue stains that decided to stay on the paper.

Here is my second card for CAS(E) this Sketch - my very new die on black paper. I hope it is not too bland.

 

I will also enter the first card in the following challenges:

https://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://crafterscastle.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica 

My daughter Aleeza's design

 Hello sweet bloggers,

There was some diecuts and lying around on my art table with the yellow stencilled flowers you see on the round nestie here. Aleeza stencilled the flowers with distress ink and she laid it all out for me. And here is the final card. I propped up the yellow stencilled round nestie on corrugated board and the sentiment banner was raised as well after giving it many layers. The balloon on the left was given three layers and the strings are hand drawn. 

I will take part in the following challenges with my card:

https://colourcrazychallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything colouring goes

https://creativfusion.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://simplycreatetoo.blogspot.com/ - black and white plus one more colour

https://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://stinkininkers.blogspot.com/ - monochromes

Monica 

Peaches and cream

Hello dear bloggers,

I stamped this image many years ago and every time it brings me so much joy to use it. I know I should be mentioning the names of the stamp etc but you know I am sitting too comfortably on my big Lazboy to get up and find the name for you. So please do overlook that. I stamped the image with distress ink and coloured in with watercolour pencils and went over it with Prismas to add more life to the flowers. The edging was coloured in with a Prisma pencil as well. I only coloured the edges of the cardstock under the image instead of using a whole sheet of coloured paper. Frugal crafter me. The bottom has two layers of lace for added effect. No sentiment here so as to make it more flexible.

 

I will take part in the following challenges:

http://cardz4galz.blogspot.com/ - monochromes

https://laviniaworldchallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes rubber stamps or clear stamps

http://stinkininkers.blogspot.com/ - monochromes

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica 

Vellum over neon

Hello sweet bloggers,

My younger one made the background here with Mala paints directly on to a piece of cardstock without using a pencil. All was well until I thought I should go over the flourishes again and it got all messy. To save the card, I stuck a vellum sheet over it. Another layer was stuck under the paper with flourishes and it was painted fluorescent pink paint on its edges. I seem to like this card at certain times and not at others. I stuck a strip of cardstock to hold the vellum in place and another thin strip with Happy Birthday stamped on it. A few dots in fluorescent pink completed it. With the vellum, you will not need sunglasses to view this card. Lol.

 

I will participate in the following challenges with my card:

https://watercoolerchallenges.blogspot.com/ - occasions

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://lemonshortbreadchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

artydivas - anything goes

https://digichoosday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica 

Happy, fun, celebrate

Hi bloggers,

Here is another happy card to show you today. I stencilled the sentiments with a distress ink and found it looked a tad bland inspite of the sunny colour. After much deliberation, I die cut balloons out of recycled paper (juice cups, Body shop packaging and cake boxes) and hand drew the strings before sticking them. The ribbon is hand tied as well.  My girls really like this card and so did I finally.

 

I will participate in the following challenges:

http://craftysentiments.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://artydivaschallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://digichoosday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/ - Keep it clean and simple KISS

https://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.com/ - use a stencil

Monica

A happy chappy card

Hello dear bloggers,

My younger one painted a thick piece of card with fluorescent paints and I stuck it on to a card base. She also wrote the sentiment and it was all set to go. Simple yet fun.

 

I will enter the following challenges:

https://artsystamperchallenge.blogspot.com/ - sentiment

https://craftinghappinesschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://mmmchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - CAS

http://dragonflydreamschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica 

Monochromes

 Hello lovely peeps,

Here is a card to show you today which has been created with distress oxides and Mala paints. The leaf on the right has been inlaid while the one on the right has been stuck over it. The background was done with an acetate sheet and distress inks. 

I will participate in the following challenges with this card:

https://allfunchallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://pearlysparkleschallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://blog.dare2bartzy.com/tag/challenge/ - anything goes

https://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://stinkininkers.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica

Fourth Mindful Art and Card Workshop

Dear bloggers,

Here is a card that my student and I created with a stencil and distress inks. We were working towards masking off a section in the lower middle without using masking tape or anything else. We were successful and all seemed well until we stamped a sentiment.  So a strip of cardstock was used to hide the faux pas. 

Ribbon at the bottom with a hand tied knot completed the picture. 

It was a happy ending and that is all that matters. Lol.

Here is my very charming student.

I will enter this card in the following challenges:

https://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://craftyfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - use summer colours

https://creativecraftcottage.blogspot.com/ - ribbon, lace or pearls

Monica 

Have a great day!

Hello dear bloggers,

This card was made over six months ago but I could find the happy placement for the sentiment. Finally, this is what I came up with. All the circles have been die cut from packaging except the gold ones which have been painted by me. An animal print embossing folder was used to add more dimension to the circles, The strip on right is thin washi tape.

I will participate in the following challenges with my card:

https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/p/cccbs-challenge-rules.html - anything goes

http://happycraftchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes + option of layers

https://mixitupchallenge.blogspot.com/ - mix it up challenge

http://qkrstampede.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://creativecrafterschallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://creationsinpink.blogspot.com/ - anything goes mainly pink

Monica

Cupcakes

Dear bloggers,

Here is a quick one made with fancy gift wrap. I went over the dotty parts of the cupcakes with my silver Sakura gel pen, used glossy accents on the icing and roses and finished off with rhinestones. There is silver/pink washi tape at the bottom to complete this simple beauty.

I will participate in the following challenges with this card:

https://ikesworldchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - three of a kind

https://watercoolerchallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://craftinghappinesschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://craftinghappinesschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/ - happy places

Monica 

Acetate card

Hello bloggers,

Here is a card to show you today where I was trying out the famous partial die cut technique. Well, it happened partially and I had to improvise and finally with sparkly silver washi tape and a grey one as well, this is what turned out. You can see the acetate on the right which goes all the way inside. I have stuck the die cut leaf on the inside as well to cover up the glue behind the leaf on the top of the card. The acetate sheet which you can barely see was cut from a larger part of packaging. I agree, that I could have done a better job with the picture even though I thought I was very creative to use my daughter's sparkly grey top behind the photo. So much for that.

The sentiment is a stick on from a scrap booking store which closed down a few years ago. How I used to love going there. It was like a mini vacation for me - browsing without any agenda, talking to the staff and often attending their card making buffets.

I will participate in the following challenges:

Arty Divas - anything goes

https://ikesworldchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - three of a kind / anything goes

https://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/ - KISS keep it simple sister

http://lemonshortbreadchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://artsystamperchallenge.blogspot.com/ - sentiment in

Make My Monday - CAS

https://craftinghappinesschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica

I LOVE sunflowers

Dear bloggers,

Here is a card made with an image that was on the front of a health brochure. It is really pretty in real life with a glossy finish on the sunflower. I have used a Hero Arts rubber stamp to cover up the text on the image.

I will participate in the following challenges:

https://allfunchallenges.blogspot.com/ - sunflowers

https://theartisticstampercreativeteam.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com/2020/08/august-2020-challenge.html - anything goes

https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://happycraftchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica

Ribbon & Washi and all sashy

Hello lovely bloggers,

I am very chuffed to learn that one of my cards was a top rocketeer in 613 Avenue Create.

Here is my card to share today which is a simple creation with ribbon and washi. The Birthday greeting sentiment was mounted on foam dots after lining it on black cardstock. 

I will participate in the following challenges:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://blog.dare2bartzy.com/tag/challenge/ - anything goes

http://dragonflydreamschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://cccdigicreations.blogspot.com/ - no patterned paper

Monica 

Sparkle with wall paper

Hello dear bloggers,

Here is card made with wall paper and some dressing up with a Sakura gold gel pen and Crayola metallic pens on the green parts. Somehow the camera could not capture the shine. At the bottom is two kinds of washi tape, one of which says SPARKLE if you read carefully. It is more readable in real life.

I will enter in the following challenges with my card:

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://abitmoretimetocraft.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com/p/challenge.html - anything goes

https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://challengeleannsworld101.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://lovetocraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://qkrstampede.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica 

Third Mindful Art and Card workshop + 'Rakhi' Card

Hello sweet peeps,

Today I hosted my third series of Mindful Art and Card classes. We made a "Rakhi" card with distress inks and die cuts. My student, who is a lovely girl of 11 had lots of fun during the process. "Rakhi" is an Indian custom where the sister ties a bracelet made of cords on the brother's wrist. It is a symbol of love and affection from the sister towards the brother. While the sister ties the bracelet, brother in his heart loving pledges to protect his sister. Rakhi comes from the word "Raksha" in Sanskrit which mean protection. It looks like a friendship bracelet and is made with bright and vibrant colours such as red, green, gold etc. At the end of the ceremony, the sister puts a little piece of Indian sweet into her brother's mouth and he hands over a cash gift to her as a blessing.

Coming back to the card, the sentiment has been die cut using card stock as well as the gold foil wrapping of Ferraro Rocher chocolates. My husband quietly buys the chocolates and eats them even more quietly. Sometimes, I try and save the wrappers and carefully stick them on to another piece of recycled paper. Once it is dry, I let it go through my Cuttlebug to even out the texture. We have used Distress Oxide inks here and to be honest, I am fairly pleased with how it all turned out so blue and beautiful.

I will enter this card in the following challenges:

https://colourcrazychallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything colouring goes

http://craftrocketchallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything for men

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/ - Simon says stamp

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://watercoolerchallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://unstampabelleschallenges.blogspot.com/ - good news

Monica