Magical Wishes for AHSC #270

Hello again, crafty friends!  Summer is officially here in the US and here in the midwest, this summer is on trend for above average temperatures, rain levels, and frequency of storms.  While this might be fun for some, for this gal it means more time in the air conditioning and at my craft table!  Over the last few days I have been a little extra busy as I had an opportunity to create and donate a small gift to go along with a unicorn and rainbow-themed quilt a friend was making to send to a young girl battling a serious cancer diagnosis.  Not only did I work up a sample of unicorn themed paper into a fun pendant, but I decided to make a card to coordinate with it, and I used this week's sketch from the Atlantic Heart Sketch Challenge blog.  Let's get started!

details:  Almost everything for this project came from the recently retired Little Dreamer papers and coordinating stamps and Thin Cuts cardmaking set.  For the front, I set this sweet tiny-heart patterned paper on base layers of Blossom and Crystal Blue, and this cloudy sky patterned paper on a base of Crystal Blue.  I used Heather ink for the unicorn's body and Thistle for the muzzle, mane and tale.  For the horn, I chose to trim down a sliver of the striped patterned paper from this kit, and I used Blossom and Lagoon inks for the sentiment/banner and then both images through the Thin Cut dies using my Cuttlebug.  I also used a length of Thistle diagonal-striped ribbon tied into a bow between the layers per the sketch and in keeping with the 3-color combo I had going.


For the inside, I made a panel of the unicorn patterned paper.  Then on a scrap of White Daisy cardstock, I used Crystal Blue ink to stamp this frame from the D1681 Perfect Picture stamp set that coordinates with the Artiste Cricut cartridge, although I chose to fussy cut it this time.  Within the frame, I used Thistle ink and this saying from the Little Dreamer cardmaking stamp set.  And what is a magical creature-based theme without a little bling, right?  So I added a pair of Bitty Sparkles.

There are endless possibilities for this sketch so I really hope you get a chance to play along and share your creation, which you can do HERE.  As always, you have until 10:55 pm Eastern/9:55 pm Central time on Sunday, 7/1/18, to link your project.  And don't forget to check out the rest of the design team's artwork.  Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting!  ~~  Annette

Butterflies and Lilacs for AHSC #268

Good Saturday morning, crafty friends!  I hope you are having a wonderful weekend with some kind of special plans to celebrate Father's Day tomorrow.  I've had an absolutely crazy week so I nearly missed out on getting to play with this week's sketch at the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog.  However, I had put too much time into deciding what to do with this one to call it quits so after numerous revisions, this is what I came up with.  Just a quick reminder that submissions for each weekly sketch close at 10:55 pm Eastern/9:55 pm Central.  You may use whatever products/brands you choose so long as your project is based on the current sketch, and you can enter your projects HERE.  Now on to my project!

details:  I finally got around to inking this beautiful lilac themed stamp set from the "A Mother's Love" set which is a retired hostess rewards set, as well as the sweet little butterflies from a more recent set that was cardmaking set featured with the Chelsea Gardens papers. 

I tried multiple color combos and stamping techniques before I was satisfied with how to line the lilac and leaf images and I found it easier to stamp the bolder image first and then line the lighter, base image up and stamp it second.  I finally settled on Amethyst and Gypsy for the flowers and Sweet Leaf and Topiary for the leaves.  I used Tangerine and black Memento ink for the butterflies.  For a little added visual interest, I stamped both the large and smaller butterflies on both tones of Tangerine cardstock and used the lighter sets for the top layers.  I'm not sure it shows in my photo, but I also used some tiny bits of 3-D foam tape under the wing of the top layer of the larger butterfly and under both wings of the smaller butterflies.

For the lovely little tag, I used Gypsy ink to stamp the sentiment from the same Chelsea Gardens set onto a bit of Sweet Leaf cardstock which I edged with Topiary ink using a sponge dauber (one of my favorite tools and effects).  I also popped the tag up with 3-D tape and added this little knotted bit of sheer purple ribbon.  I think I could keep playing with this card and sketch forever,  but I have to move on to finishing up some Father's Day cards as well as some sympathy and thinking-of-you cards.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look, and I really hope you get a chance to create something with this week's sketch or at least check out all the lovely artwork the design team and participants have to show you at AHSC.  Happy crafting!  ~~  Annette