Summer Fun

The current IO challenge is Summer Fun.  Luckily, I have one stamp set that works, Solid Tree, which I've had for at least 6 years.

I stamped the tree in HA Cup O' Joe on a vanilla card.  I added the tire swing using black & Classic Kraft inks.  Instead of stamping leaves, I used Memento Bamboo Leaves marker to make dots.  It always scares me to freehand something, but this time it turned out as planned!  It's Your Birthday was first stamped on a scrap of vellum so I could figure out where I wanted to stamp it.  Gotta remember that trick when I'm not sure of placement.  I used the green marker to draw grass--2 freehanded elements on one card!  The tire was covered in Pico Embellisher shimmer & the leaves were covered in Stickles.

Lots of people had tire swings when I was a kid.  You had to be pretty young to enjoy them--not exactly comfortable--haha!  I'm also entering Retro Rubber, SSS Monday, The Male Room & WAW.
Edited to add: Also entering Allsorts--thank you, Brenda.

Thank you for the good wishes for Fritz.  He was so cooperative for the echo cardiogram that they didn't have to give him any sedation.  We got a good report as he has a I/VI murmur & very mild mitral valve disease.  No restrictions or meds & our vet can just monitor him unless he becomes symptomatic.
Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.

ITP & PFS

Always glad to see another ITP Challenge.  This time Melissa's Fab Friday calls for a Wishing You project.  I love CAS(E) this Sketch #384, so combined the challenges.

I used my MISTI to stamp each leafy branch from ITP Bold Blooms one at a time in opposite corners of the card.  That way they're identical.  After all the images were white embossed, I brushed over them with DI Peeled Paint.  Never tire of emboss resist!  The sentiment from PTI Through the Trees was cut in 2 & stamped in Versafine Clair Acorn.  I added peeled paint splatters & PPP Marshmallow sequins.  I'm also entering CAS on Friday & SSS Wednesday challenge (favorite tool is the MISTI.)

My first PFS die purchase was Hello with a Bouquet.  I haven't used it for some time & thought it'd be perfect for the PFS August Challenge.  I used the floral theme & as close as I could get to the color combo.

I began by ink blending a white panel with DO spun sugar, picked raspberry, abandoned coral, peeled paint & fossilized amber.  The panel didn't look that great, but I just love how it die cut! A scrap of fun foam was used to cut the letters a second time.  I brushed the letters with a shimmer pen & covered them in Nuvo Glaze.  The card front was dry embossed with an Echo Park dotted folder & I rounded the corners.  These pretty colors make me smile & I hope you like them, too.
I'm also entering SSS Wednesday (favorite tool die cutting machine) & The Snippets Playground.
Edited to add: Also entering Virginia's Show & Share.

Fritz was found to have a heart murmur months ago.  Before his cardiac consult could happen, the Vet School closed due to the pandemic.  They reopened weeks ago, but were backed up with all the cancellations.  Finally, his name got to the top of the list & Thursday is the big day.  We won't be allowed to go in the building with him, so all the discussion will be done by phone.  At least he's asymptomatic, so the work up should be pretty straightforward.  We'll be glad to know if there are any precautions needed.  For now, our vet just said not to exercise him in the heat.
Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.

MFT

I completed a card for the MFT 500th sketch at the last minute, so posted on IG.  Thought you might like to see it.

I blended DIs & spritzed with water for the background.  MFT Sunny Skies die cut from yellow cardstock was covered in yellow Stickles.  The white embossed sentiment is from MFT Totally Happy.  I attached the sun & sentiment with repositionable tape, so I could move them.  Without the sketch I would have had the sun at the top of the panel.  Here's my revised card.

Always nice to have a card that can go to a guy or a gal.  I like to use enamel dots, rather than sequins or gems for masculine cards.  I also entered SSS Monday.

MFT Summer School was great this year.  All the themes were something anyone could do. 

I've already posted my cards for Day 1 & Day 2.  Here are the other 3.
Day 3, Symmetry.  Must admit, it's not my favorite card, but I was determined to use my old MFT Chevron Stripes dies & Color Challenge 146. 

The big chevron was cut from a scrap of pink dotted Doodlebug paper, the others from PTI Berry Sorbet & the blue panel was a scrap.  I used brown ink to stamp the stars & sentiment which are from MFT On the Line. 

Day 4, Ombre.  I made a very simple Christmas card with an old MFT unlabelled set.  I do like the traditional green, red & white color combo.  The tree image was white embossed on a scrap of Bristol paper.

Then I used a green Zig & a waterbrush to move the color so that it faded out from the tree shape.  Can't tell, but the star is covered in Stickles.  The card front was dry embossed with a dotted folder to tie in with the dots in the image.

Day 5, White Space.  Can't remember how long I've had MFT Roses in Bloom die, but it's been awhile.  When I saw the white space challenge, I thought it'd be perfect.  Must say, this is one of my favorite cards. 

Very simple, but I love the intricate modern look of the die cut.  I stacked the roses 2 high & watercolored with Tombow makers & a wet brush.  The bud & bloom were purposely attached with a little space between them & the stems.  Can't tell, but I used a shimmer pen on the bud & bloom.  The sentiment from MFT On the Line was stamped in Brilliance Starlite Black & I finished off with 3 clear sequins.  I'm also entering SSS Monday & SSS Wednesday (fav tool is mini MISTI for sentiments.)

Here are the previously posted cards for Day 1 & Day 2.  Hurrah--I graduated!

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.

Summer School Plus

My dad was born 104 years ago today.  I was so blessed that he lived to be 93 yrs old & was very sharp, independent & loving.  I took some of my roses to the cemetery--really miss him.

My heart goes out to all the people who have lost family & friends from Covid.  Lots of BD celebrations like my dad's 90th won't be happening.  I was sure the US would do what was needed to minimize deaths, but here we are with greater than 150,000.  Denial of a problem doesn't make it go away.  Hubby & I continue to take precautions--wearing masks, keeping our distance & staying out of buildings as much as possible.  I have a funeral next weekend, but probably won't attend.  I may just drive to the church & try to see people afterwards from a distance.  Sad times.
Thankfully making cards is a wonderful distraction.  I've made & sent a lot of them & more are about to go in the mail.  First up is a modified slimline card--3 3/4x6 1/2.  It wasn't planned, but I just liked how my left over print panel looked with the top & bottom borders slightly bigger than the sides. 

I had leftover Poppystamps Stitched Bloom Trio diecuts from the first card, too.  I just added a bit more of the Altenew watercolor markers in areas & painted them with Inkon 3 Liquid Pixie Dust.  The die cut window is MFT Rectangle Peek a Boo Window & the tiny sentiment is from PFS Delicate Wreath.  I found some enamel dots that were just the right colors, so finished off with them.  I'm entering Poppystamps August Challenge: Heat Wave.  These are definitely warm, summery colors in my book.  I'm also entering SSS Wednesday.

Next is a 50th wedding anniversary card for a lady I used to work with.  We had lots of fun times at their house playing games late into the night.  My Spellbinders Small Die of the Month kit arrived just in time.

I used gold adhesive backed cardstock for the frame & tiny flowers.  The flowers were actually cut from some of the pieces that pop out of the delicate frame die cut.  Can't waste that expensive gold paper--haha!  The leafy branches from The Stamp Market were die cut from 2 green scraps & I switched the inside pieces.  The sentiment from HA is stamped in brown ink on the vanilla card.  I don't like a card to be too girly when it's for a couple.  Hopefully they'll both like this one.  I entered SSS Wednesday via IG & I'm also entering The Snippets Playground & WAW.

MFT Summer School is back!  Here's the card I made for Day 1: Visual Triangle.  I used my favorite MFT stamp set called Brilliant Butterflies.  The colors are from MFT Color Challenge 146.  I used these inks:  PTI Berry Sorbet & Lovely Lady, Altenew Dew Drops & Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate.

Decided to keep it clean & fresh, so just added white Pico Embellisher dots & mounted the panel with fun foam to a white card.  The die cut sentiment is MFT Block Happy Birthday which I stacked 3 high.  The top layer of letters were inked with Pearlescent Chocolate.  I'm also entering SSS Monday & SSS Wednesday.

Here's my card for MFT Summer School Day 2: Rainbow.  Decided to go for a more pastel rainbow & in reverse order.

I silver embossed MFT Geometric grid & then sponged on DO broken china, cracked pistachio, squeezed lemonade, spiced marmalade & worn lipstick.  After I trimmed it to the size I wanted, I brushed the panel with a shimmer pen--so pretty in person.  I got a pack of several thin rolls of Washi last year & finally opened it.  The silver was just what I needed for the edge of my panel.  The white embossed sentiment from MFT Totally Happy was die cut with a PTI die & mounted with fun foam.  Thought about splatters, but instead just added some dots of silver Stickles.  I'm also entering SSS Wednesday.

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  I'm constantly behind in blog reading these days.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you as soon as I can.