CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #215

Hello and welcome back to another Challenge for CAS-ual Fridays Stamps!! Unfortunately, this will be the last challenge for the blog.  While this makes me sad, I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be on this team as I was incredibly inspired and blown away by all the amazing talent I seen!  Thank you all who participated!

We're featuring a fun technique this time around...Embossing with Dies!!

I love all things related to dies and die cutting so this was a real fun challenge!!  I used the set of dies called Flurry for my project today!

To emboss with your dies, it is crucial that you have a rubber embossing mat. This is what prevents the die from actually cutting the paper.  It provides a durable, yet forgiving surface for the die to press into.

I used Mixed Media paper for this as I find that thicker cardstock yields better results.  After die cutting a panel with a stitched rectangle die, I placed the 3 snowflake dies that are included in this set face down (just as if you were going to cut them!).  I use a Sizzix Big Shot so I opened the first tab (as if I was going to use an embossing folder), placed one cutting pad, the rubber embossing mat, the cardstock with die and another cutting plate on top.  I ran it through twice, but once would have been enough!

The snowflakes are now impressed into the cardstock which made it easy to do some loose watercolouring!!  

I heat embossed a couple of snowflakes and a sentiment from the Snowy Saying Stamp set in silver and foam mounted the embossed panel onto a white card base.  I thought a few clear sequins would look pretty and add a bit of sparkle!

I hope you're able to give this technique a try and I can't wait to see what you make!  Remember this is our LAST CHALLENGE so let's go out with a bang!!

Here's what you're playing for...

(Link your creations up on the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog!)

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #214

Welcome back to another awesome challenge for CAS-ual Fridays Stamps!!  This week brings holiday inspiration with this photo...

I knew immediately that I wanted to try to recreate this gorgeous Christmas ornament.  However, instead of an ornament, I made a snow globe!  CAS-ual Fridays has an awesome die set called Ornament Tag Fri-Dies. It's perfect to create a little scene like this or make a shaker card!  

I started by white heat embossing a bunch of snowflakes onto the large circle die from the set and did a bit of emboss resist with a light blue ink.

For the trees I used the Casual Trees Fri Dies and inked them up with shades of green Distress Ink. To create the base of my globe, I used the Bubble Box Fri-Dies, with a couple snips here and there. It created the perfect rounded corners.

The fact that the sentiment fit perfectly on the base was a total fluke and made me so happy!  I repeatedly stamped the snowflake border stamp from the Snowy Sayings Stamp Set  in a light blue ink onto a white card base and foam mounted my snow globe.

I added some glitter pen to the trees and a few clear sequins inside the globe to give almost a faux shaker-card look!

And that's my project for this challenge! I cannot wait to see what you create!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Here's what you're playing for:

Remember to visit the CAS-ual Friday Challenge Blog for all the details and to link up your project!!

Laurie

Challenge #213 for Cas-ual Fridays!!

Hello and welcome to another challenge for Cas-ual Fridays Stamps!!  This challenge asks that you use shades of gold on your project!

With the holidays fast approaching, gold is always a favourite colour to create with!  I kept my card fairly clean and simple, using only one stamp set.

I had some gold, shimmery paint in my stash that I have never used so this was the perfect opportunity. To create the striped background, I painted all over a piece of cardstock and trimmed strips from it.  I didn't measure or keep the strips even in size.  I also went for a random look when adhering the strips to the panel.

The snowflakes and sentiment are from the Snowy Sayings stamp set.  I wanted to incorporate a touch of black into this card, so I used Versafine Onxy Black ink for the sentiment.  The snowflakes were heat embossed with Metallic Copper Embossing powder from WOW!.  This is actually my favourite colour of embossing powder at the moment!

I fussy cut each snowflake and also directly stamped and embossed a few small flakes onto the card front. The snowflakes were adhered using foam adhesive.

And that's my take on the "Shades of Gold" Challenge!!  Now here's how to enter and what you're playing for:

What are your playing for? 10 winning entries will be highlighted on this blog each Thursday before a new challenge is set to go live the next day.  In addition, Michele has generously offered up a $25 gift certificate to the overall winner at CAS-ual Fridays Stamps. And if that weren't enough, if the chosen winner has used CAS-ual Fridays stamps and/or dies as the main focus in the card, that gift certificate will increase to $50. 

Please link up your creation to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog!! Have fun and I cannot wait to see what you create!!

Laurie

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #212

Hi there, welcome back!! It's time for another challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays Blog!!  The past challenge was awesome and we thank you for joining us! There was a lot of gorgeous creations and I can't wait to see your take on this one! This time around, we have a sketch for you...

I followed the sketch pretty closely regarding the layout but changed things up by making a square card without flowers.  That's the beauty of a sketch challenge. It doesn't have to be exact, more so a jumping off point!

To replace the floral images, I used the star shape from the Fun-Fetti Fri-Dies.  This was super easy to do as the cut outs are already lined up for you!  I backed the navy cardstock with some gold glitter paper leaving a small border to create a mat.  

I cut the Friend Fri-Die out of white cardstock but decided it was a little too stark against the navy cardstock.  I lined up the edge of the die with the same gold glitter paper to create that two toned effect.

The navy and gold piece was adhered to a 3.5 X 3.5 inch square, white card base.  The small white border ties in nicely with the white part of the Friend die cut.

I skipped any sort of embellishments on this card because the gold paper really sparkles!

Now, here's how to play along:

Simply link up your beautiful creations using the "In Linkz" on the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog.  You do not have to use CAS-Fridays products to play along or win!!  10 winning entries will be highlighted on the CAS-Fridays blog each Thursday before a new challenge is set to go live the next day.  In addition, Michele has generously offered up a $25 gift certificate to the overall winner at CAS-ual Fridays Stamps. And if that weren't enough, if the chosen winner has used CAS-ual Fridays stamps and/or dies as the main focus in the card, that gift certificate will increase to $50. 

Good luck and I cannot wait to see what you've created!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Laurie

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #211

Welcome back to the new challenge for CAS-ual Fridays Stamps!!  This is the perfect Fall Challenge!!

The colours and textures just scream Fall time to me! Here's what I created for you today...

I used the Acorn Fri-Dies to cut out white cardstock.  I used various yellows, oranges, reds and brown Distress Inks to colour up those die cuts.  This is my favourite way of colouring lately.

I used the Autumn Blessings Stamp set, which co-ordinates with the Acorn Fri-Dies, for the sentiment.  To highlight the sentiment, I used one of the Bubble Box Dies and kraft cardstock. Of course, gold embossing just had to be used here!!

I used a Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz) for the background and foam mounted the sentiment, leaves and acorn.

To add a bit more shine, I die cut one of the Casual Trees Dies out of gold glitter paper and snipped it apart to fit in and around the sentiment die cut.

I was going to add some gold sequins, but thought it was perfect as it was!!

Now, here's what you're playing for...

Please go to the CAS-ual Fridays Blog to link up your creation for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the CAS-ual Fridays shop. Remember, if you use CAS-ual Fridays stamps and dies and are chosen as the winner, you will get a $50 gift certificate...wow!!

Good luck and I can't wait to see what you create!

Laurie

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #210

Welcome back!! It's time for the newest challenge over on the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog!!  And the theme for this challenge is...

Pinks and greys!! How fun and sweet!!  I decided to make a very feminine birthday card for this challenge.

I used the Treble Clef Fri-Die as the largest image of the card and created around it.  I used Hickory Smoke Distress Ink with a finger dauber to apply the colour.  To dress up that beautiful music note, I used the 4 Petal Fri-Dies and used Spun Sugar and Picked Raspberry Distress Inks and coloured them the same way.

If you look closely, I decided to use the Spun Sugar ink along with the Square Dance Stencil from Catherine Pooler Designs to add a tiny bit of detail to the card front. The sentiment comes from the Heartfelt Sayings Stamp Set and was stamped using Versafine Clair Morning Mist ink.

I added a few pearls to the centre of the flowers as well as some shimmer pen to the note. The tiny grey hearts are actually cut from the bottom of the note..they make great embellishments!!

I really hope you can join us for this fun challenge!  I love seeing what you're creating!!

Here's what you're playing for:

Be sure to link up your project to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog!!  Good luck and have fun!!

Laurie

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #209

Good morning and welcome to the newest challenge on the CAS-ual Fridays Blog!!  This time around it's a SKETCH CHALLENGE!!

I'm not sure about you but I find sketch challenges always boost the mojo!  If I'm having a particularly hard time coming up with a design idea, I will search card layout/designs and 9 times out of 10, inspiration strikes!!  And what's nice about this type of challenge is that it doesn't have to be exactly like the photo. You can interpret it anyway you like!

Here's my take on this sketch:

I did stick fairly close to the sketch. For the corner "stripes", I used the Tin Roof Stamp Set (which is retiring and at a great cost!) along with a small sentiment from the Somebunny Stamp Set.  I used one of the Bubble Box Dies for a bit of dimension and to house the large Love Ya Fri-die.  

I swapped out florals for hearts on this card which were cut using the Heart Board Fri-dies.  To add the colour to the die cuts I used alcohol markers.

A generous helping of clear sparkle pen and Nuvo Crystal Glaze completed this card.

I hope you can join us for this challenge! I love going through all the entries as it gives me tons of inspiration as well!!

Here's what you're playing for:

Make sure you upload your project on the CAS-Friday Challenge Blog before October 10th, 2018 for a chance to win!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  See you soon!!

Laurie

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #208...

Welcome back to another challenge for CAS-ual Fridays Stamps!!  This is a sparkly, fun one as it's all about Using Those Sequins!!

I don't have any shortage of sequins in my craft room. Sequins of all shapes, sizes and colours! Although, I tend to use mostly clear on my projects, I must start giving love to all!!  For my card today, I blinged up some die cuts with sequins.

I stamped the large Happy B-Day from the Celebrate Stamp Set with two shades of pink ink to get an ombre look and added some clear shimmer pen to it.  These words are two different stamps which is nice because it gives a lot of options for sentiment placement.

I used the super cool Jumping Jacks Fri-Dies numerous times out of white cardstock and used the same inks to give them some colour.  I used Majestic Confetti from Studio Katia.  Most of my sequin collection has come from there.

I thought it would be cool to add different sizes to each of the jumping jacks. I think it turned out super cool!!

Before mounting my focal panel to the card base, I used my scoring board to add some embossed lines across the front, again, super cool and so easy to do!!

I hope you have a chance to play along with us and use up some of your sequin stash!! Here are all the details on how to enter:

Link up your creation on the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog.  10 winning entries will be featured on the blog the Thursday before the new challenge goes live.  The overall winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to the CAS-ual Friday store. BUT, if the winning entry features CAS-Fridays stamps and dies, the amount will increase to $50!!! Wow!

I cannot wait to see what you create with sequins! Good luck!

Laurie

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #207

Welcome back!! It's time for another challenge on the CAS-Fridays Challenge Blog!!  The theme for the next two weeks is...

Mint and Neutral!!  Oh, what fun!  I love the colour mint, every shade of it, so this was an easy and fun challenge for me!

I went for a very clean and simple look and choose Ivory as my neutral colour.  I created a dimensional background by cutting the gorgeous Casual Trees Fri-Dies multiple times out of ivory cardstock and adhering them directly to a 4 bar ivory card base (3.5 X 5 inch). This gives a very elegant look.

I die cut the Friend Fri-Dies from white cardstock and used Catherine Pooler inks in the colours, Mint To Be and Seafoam.  These inks are awesome and I highly recommend trying them!! I added Versamark Ink over the die cut and heat embossed it in clear. I did this twice to give a nice, raised, shiny look!

I adhered the word die onto a scalloped oval die from MFT to make it pop a little from the background. The tiny hearts come from the Fun-fetti Fri-Dies and were treated the same as the friend die.

I usually leave the inside of my cards blank. Especially if it's a generic friendship card.  You can customize it later for any occasion!!

Link up your project on the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog. Ten (10) winning entries will be featured on the blog the Thursday before a new challenge starts. The overall winner will receive a $25 gift certificate for the CAS-Fridays shop! But if that winner featured CAS-Fridays products, the prize amount will double!! Remember, you are not required to use CAS-Friday products :)

Thank you for stopping by today! I hope you'll join the challenge! Have fun creating and good luck!

Laurie

     

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #206

Hey friends! Welcome back! Today is the start of a new challenge on the CAS-ual Fridays Blog!!  We are making projects with a Back To School Theme. I cannot believe it's that time, summer always flies by.

I have a niece going into Grade 11 so this card is for her.  I used the Flower Power Stamp Set (which is one of my faves!) 

The plan for this card started out completely different than the way it ended up.  I stamped the You Rock with Barely Beige ink from Simon Says Stamp.  I originally thought I would do no-line colouring on these letters but my skills are what you'd call...lacking. So after the colouring was done, I decided to rest restamp in Versamark Ink and gold heat emboss.  

I heat embossed "truth is" which is from the Truth Is Stamp Set also in gold and foam mounted the strip in between the focal sentiment.

The embellishments are made using the Fun-Fetti Fri-Dies cut from gold cardstock which I made using Versamark and gold embossing powder.

On the inside of the card, I stamped an encouraging sentiment also from the Truth Is Stamp Set.

I hope you find some inspiration today and don't forget to link up your creations to the CAS-ual Fridays Blog for a chance to win an amazing prize!!!

What are your playing for? 10 winning entries will be highlighted on this blog each Thursday before a new challenge is set to go live the next day.  In addition, Michele has generously offered up a $25 gift certificate to the overall winner at CAS-ual Fridays Stamps. And if that weren't enough, if the chosen winner has used CAS-ual Fridays stamps and/or dies as the main focus in the card, that gift certificate will increase to $50. 

Thank you for stopping by today!!  I'll see you soon!!

Laurie