MFT COLOR CHALLENGE-January 16-22, 2019

MFT Color Challenge- Baby Elephant Walk

For some reason, this color challenge had me stumped. I am behind in my blogs because I stamped this little guy over and over again trying to get the right colors. I wanted a soft muted gray and just couldn't find the medium to use to color him! I finally watercolored him using my Zig Clean Color Real Brush pens and a water brush. 

Then there were the balloons to find pastel colors to use. The Zig pens were too bright. I found that a few of my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers would work. Yet another reason to purchase Copics! 

I immediately thought of a baby card when I saw the colors! I stamped out quite a few elephants from MFT's BB Adorable Elephants stamp set in different positions with Simon Says Stamp Intense Black Ink before I finished this card. I wanted an ink that I could use with any medium to color the little guys. I colored them with my Zig pens and a Pentel Aquabrush then used the Die-namics BB Adorable Elephants to cut them out on my Big Shot.

Baby elephants colored with
 Zig Clean Color Real brush markers

I stamped then colored the balloons with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers. I used a die to cut them out.

Deciding which elephant I want to use,
making mistakes along the way,
colored and cut many balloons!

I played with the placement of the elements and then took a picture with my phone camera. After gently blending Peacock Feathers Distress ink in the middle of the card, I attached the baby elephant and balloons. Should have been a quick and easy card. Sometimes it pays to keep hammering away at it!

Calling it 'Baby Elephant Walk'

Thank you for keeping me company today! It's a chilly -22 degrees here in Southern Wisconsin with a record windchill of -47 degrees! Even Burger King is closing early today! Snuggle up all my fellow north-central U.S. peeps!!

Of course, I would love to see your work! Post a picture of your card using the colors of this challenge! Paste a picture here or in the comments on my Facebook Page.

Lori Ellen Designs Facebook Page

For more inspiration and pictures of some of my earlier cards, please visit my Etsy shop! There is a link below. Please feel free to leave comments or ask any questions that you may have. I will try to help if I can.

Etsy Shop

Until next time,

Remember, great things happen to those who create!!

Below I have a list of some of the items I used in making this card. I added some of my favorite tools also. Clicking on the picture will take you to more information.

IAM NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY SHOPS so I am not selling items. Feel free to comment or contact me with any questions!

Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens

Pentel Aquabrush 3 sizes

Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers

BB Adorable Elephants stamp set

Dienamics BB Adorable Elephants

Peacock Feathers Distress Ink Pad

SKETCH CHALLENGE #4

MFT Sketch Challenge #4: You & Me

I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I saw this sketch! I was cleaning/organizing my craft room and came upon some gorgeous handmade paper and a beautiful stamp set. So I zipped through putting this together, only slowing for the pictures I took. 

Sketch Challenge Jan. 23-29, 2019

MFT Sketch Challenge 421

I was so excited to find I had a piece of cardstock that would match the gray in the pattern paper. I used Simon Says Stamp's Smoke Gray #100 cardstock for the base.

Elements I found in my stash to
compliment the handmade red/gold paper I found.

I wanted to make it look more regal so I added a strip of gold along the edge of the paper. 

TIP: If you overhang the strips, you can turn the cardstock over and trim it off.

The card base measured 4.25"x 5.5". The white panel is Strathmore 100# Smooth Bristol. The glitter paper is Levylisa Gold Smooth-Soft touch cardstock. 

I used the You & Me Love stamp set included in the January 2018 Hero Arts kit of the month. The stamp set is not available but I found the Hero Arts JOY stamp set that has an awesome ampersand (AND sign). I stamped the ampersand and measured out the sizes of circle dies I would need to create a window.

Stamped ampersand using
Altenew Crimson Red ink mini cube

I cut a circle out of the front panel and a larger one of acetate. 

Die cutting circles for the front of the card.

I used the red ampersand and added Simon Says Stamp's Antique Gold embossing powder to heat the intricate scrollwork.  

TIP: I use the regular Misti almost always for my stamping with clear or cling rubber stamps. If I don't get a good impression the first time I can restamp the image in exactly the same place. The cardstock is held with very, very strong magnets. I can also match up multiple layers or straight sentiments! I can't stamp a straight sentiment at all!!

Adding a gold flourish upon the red ampersand.
I cut the ampersand out with the biggest circle die. 

After adding Scotch Foam tape to the back of my panel, 

TIP: Burnish your foam tape. It will stick much more securely to the paper.

I put a pile of iridescent sequins in the center of the red ampersand. YES! I was making the circle in the sketch into a shaker card! I removed the backing from the tape and placed the panel on top of the ampersand.

Foam tape on the back of the panel

TIP: Putting the sequins on the backing of the shaker element helps to see the back and center your image by looking through the hole.

TIP: Add powder from EK Tools powder tool or something similar to prevent the sequins from sticking to the sides.

This window/shaker panel was put onto the gray card base. 

Next, I added a sentiment that reads "you & me" over the bottom 1/3 of the circle. 

I finished it off by stamping the inside with a simple "I LOVE YOU". Here is the finished card!

Finished My Favorite Things
 Sketch Challenge 421

I can't believe how easy this card came together. I usually sit and mull over what color, paper pattern, etc. to use. I love the challenge and sometimes it takes hours for me to come up with a card design. To see some of my other cards, please check out my Etsy shop! 

LoriEllenDesigns Etsy Shop

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog! I hope that you will try this sketch and consider entering it into the Challenge. The winner is randomly chosen and wins a $50 gift voucher for the MFT shop! 

Of course, I would love to see your work and have you inspire others! Paste a picture in the comments here or on my Facebook page!

Lori Ellen Designs Facebook page

Until nex time,

Remember, great things happen to those that create!

Below I have a list of some of the items I used in making this card. I added some of my favorite tools also. Clicking on the picture will take you to more information.

IAM NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY SHOPS so I am not selling items. Feel free to comment or contact me with any questions!

Simon Says Stamp Smoke Gray Cardstock

Strathmore Smooth Bristol paper

Gold Glitter cardstock

Hero Arts Peace, Love & Joy Stamp set

Red Sunset Mini Cube Set (Velvet ink cube)

Antique Gold Embossing Powder

EK Tools Powder Tool

.

FANCY FOLD: Z FOLD SPINNER CARD

Fancy Fold: Z Fold Spinner Card

Third in my Valentine Series this year, 2019, is 'OTTERLY' adorable! I really enjoy making fancy fold cards but when they have an interactive element...WOW! 

I made two Z Spinner cards. I was inspired by Jennifer McGuire's YouTube video: Z Fold Spinner Cards. When you are done reading my blog, please return to this link to see how her cards turned out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNQpeIPtwaA&t=2s 

Prepare the Card Base

I cut and folded in half an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of cardstock creating a side-fold card measuring 4 1/4"x 5 1/2". 

Using an original-sized Misti, I used the Wavy Coloring Book background stamp to stamp the front and back of the 100# Audrey Blue cardstock from Simon Says Stamp and the Floral Fantasy background stamp to stamp the Cotton Candy Cardstock from Simon Says Stamp. If folded in half first then stamped in the same spot on each of all four sides of the card, there should be a continuous print when the front of the card is folded.

Stamping background with one shade darker
than cardstock to create a tone-on-tone effect

I folded the front of the card, at 2 1/8", towards the fold. After deciding to use an otter image from Otterly Love by My Favorite Things and a piglet image from My Favorite Things Hog Heaven Stamp Set ,  I die-cut the right size circle from the Infinity circles by Hero Arts on the second flap. I also cut the same size circle out of white paper. 

Die-cut circles from white cardstock
 and folded card base

Preparing Image

In order for the spinner to have the same image on both sides, I had to Mirror Stamp the image. This was done by stamping the image onto a piece of acrylic, then taking the acrylic and putting it ink-down onto the white cardstock. I gently rubbed the image to transfer the ink. When I removed the acrylic, there was a reverse image of the stamp. For the edges that didn't stamp well, I used a micron pen to trace them in.

I stamped then colored my images with my Spectrum Noir Markers. I chose to fussy-cut the images. A small, very sharp scissors like the ones from Cutter Bee work excellently for this project!

Cutting piglets with a heart!

Once cut, I colored the edges and took a suggestion from Jennifer McGuire. I colored the back of the image as well, along the edge. If I didn't cut exactly on the line or if the image didn't perfectly match up, it would not be noticed.

Coloring the edge of the back

Putting the spinner together

I used clear sewing thread and sandwiched it between the front and back images down the center. I then glued the thread along the back of the fold, with the image centered in the cut circle.  I pulled it taught and held it with washi tape.

Holding the piglet taught and centered
with washi tape

While that was drying, I stamped small images coinciding with the piglet and otter onto the white circles.  Once the piglet image was dry, I folded the card, in half, then the front in half again, taking the flap towards the first fold of the card.

I fitted the circle in the space in the card base and glued it. Choosing a sentiment, I cut it before I attached it to curve around the stamped circle and used a clear acrylic block. 

TIP: After performing surgery on the sentiment, don't worry, it's easy to piece back together.

I stamped the sentiment "I'm tickled PINK for you" on the card for the piglet. "There's no Otter like You" I stamped on the card for the otter. I used Versamark ink and heat embossed both with Ranger's Fine white Detail Embossing powder and a Nicole Heat Tool.

Curving the embossed sentiment

I wound up the piglet before closing the card. When I opened it, the image spun!!

These cards were so fun to make! I made a total of four cards, two cards of each design. I hope you will try making this card! I would love to see your work and others would love the inspiration! Please post a picture in the comments or on my Facebook Page at 

Lori Ellen Designs Facebook Page

Four Z Fold Spinner Cards

Thank you for spending time with me! I look forward to the next time! In the meantime, check out my Etsy shop as well. I have cards I have shown in many Facebook groups on sale there! 

Lori Ellen Designs Etsy Shop

Remember, great things happen to those that create!

Below I have a list of some of the items I used in making this card. I added some of my favorite tools too. Clicking on the picture will take you to more information.

I AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY SHOPS so I am not selling items. Feel free to comment or contact me with any questions!

MFT Hog Heaven Stamp Set

MFT Otterly Love You Stamp Set

SSS Audry Blue cardstock

Cotton Candy Cardstock

Wavy Coloring Book Background

Floral Fantasy Background

Hero Arts Infinity Dies

Ranger Fine Detail White Embossing Powder

Nicole Heat Embossing Tool